The Advocate 10-03-2025

Saints sign long-term lease deal for Dome

long-term lease of the Caesars Superdome.

State wins several concessions in agreement

BY ANTHONY McAULEY, TYLER BRIDGES and JEFF DUNCAN Staff writers

Gov Jeff Landry and Gayle Benson have signed a new long-term lease that will keep the Saints playing at the Caesars Superdome for at least another decade, after lengthy negotiations that were hung up over side real estate deals and the state’s share in profits from food sales and other concessions.

The deal was formally announced Thursday during a signing ceremony on the field of the Superdome, where Benson and Landry gathered with Saints officials and civic leaders.

Benson and Landry both praised the agreement, with Benson calling it “an example of our continued special partnership with this great state of Louisiana.”

“This agreement solidifies a partner-

ship for decades to come,” she added.

The lease runs through 2035 and then gives the Saints options to renew every five years through 2055. It also resolves sticking points that had delayed final approval even after the stadium lease itself was finalized last month.

At issue were the team’s lucrative leases tied to Benson Tower, Champions Square, and the Saints’ practice facility in Jefferson Parish, which state officials had sought to separate from the Superdome deal.

In the end, the state and the Saints agreed to sign the package together, clearing the way for Landry and Benson to make the extension official at the ceremony inside the Dome.

The signing averts what had become

a tense standoff that has complicated New Orleans’ bid to host the 2031 Super Bowl, a showcase event that requires a long-term stadium commitment. Because of the stalemate, the city missed an NFL deadline last month to be placed on the shortlist of host sites.

Saints spokesperson Greg Bensel said then that if a lease could be finalized in time, Benson would aim to persuade NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to reopen the bidding.

“Governor, I am confident that between you and I, we will give it our absolute best effort,” Benson said Thursday

Any bid would still require a formal proposal from the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and City Hall, and there is no assurance New Orleans will ultimately land the game.

Trump

says U.S., drug cartels in ‘armed

BY AAMER MADHANI and LISA MASCARO Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump has declared drug cartels to be unlawful combatants and says the United States is now in an “armed conflict” with them according to a Trump administration memo obtained by The Associated Press on Thursday, following recent U.S. strikes on boats in the Caribbean. The memo appears to represent an extraordinary assertion of presidential war powers with Trump effectively declaring that traffick-

conflict’

ing of drugs into the United States amounts to armed conflict requiring the use of military force — a new rationale for past and future actions.

“The President determined that the United States is in a noninternational armed conflict with these designated terrorist organizations,” the memo says. Trump directed the Pentagon to “conduct operations against them pursuant to the law of armed conflict.”

“The United States has now reached a critical point where we must use force in self-defense and

ä See TRUMP, page 6A

EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD

Charter school changes approved

Board OKs contract renewals for longer terms

BY CHARLES LUSSIER Staff writer

Charter schools in Baton Rouge with strong academic performance would get their contracts renewed for longer periods of five to 10 years under new but contested rules.

A separate proposal, however was rejected that would have allowed “D”-rated charter schools in the capital city that have shown good progress with their toughest students the chance to add students and grade levels above what was outlined in their contracts.

The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board on Thursday gave preliminary approval to update its charter school rules. A final vote is scheduled for Oct. 16.

The renewal and expansion proposals prompted lengthy discussion and split votes, amid renewed debate about whether charter schools should be allowed to expand in Baton Rouge. Board members, however, voted unanimously to approve a series of other changes in the policy, which is over 100 pages.

“The vast majority of this is stuff the state Legislature has taken out of our control. This is moving more and more away from local control of schools.”

MIKE GAUDET, East Baton Rouge Parish School Board member

The proposed updates incorporate several changes in state law enacted since the policy was last updated in 2019, including increased state scrutiny of local charter school applications and the removal of numerical targets for charter schools, so that they reflect the student poverty levels of the districts authorizing them. Charter schools are public schools run privately via contracts. East Baton Rouge Parish currently has contracts with 13 charter schools, which teach more than 6,000 students, representing approximately 16% of the district’s enrollment. In the past two years, Baton

ä See CHARTER, page 7A

New CEO named for BR Food Bank

BY ELLYN COUVILLION Staff writer

A new CEO with a background in international relief services has been named to head the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. Elizabeth “Liz” Pfifer will join the Food Bank in November as chief executive officer and president. She replaces Mike Manning, who announced plans to retire in December after more than 20 years of leading the organization.

Pfifer worked for more than two decades with Catholic Relief Servic es in the U.S., Africa and Asia. Most recently she served as the organization’s director of workforce development for a workforce of approximately 6,000.

ä See FOOD, page 6A

Iowa ex-superintendent charged with gun offense

DES MOINES Iowa The superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district, who was detained last week by immigration agents, was charged Thursday in federal court with possessing firearms while in the U.S. illegally, prosecutors said.

Ian Roberts resigned this week as Des Moines’ superintendent of schools, just days after he was pulled over and fled from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, who ultimately arrested him with the help of officers from the Iowa State Patrol. When he was arrested, federal agents found a handgun that was wrapped in a towel inside the Jeep Cherokee he was driving, according to court papers.

Officials said Roberts, who is originally from Guyana was taken into custody on a federal arrest warrant for the weapons charge and appeared by video before a federal magistrate judge. Roberts’ attorney said his client will plead not guilty Roberts, 54, is alleged to have been in possession of four firearms, according to court documents. Authorities said Roberts had been authorized to work in the U.S. between December 2018 and 2020 but has since “not had lawful employment authorization,” according to the complaint

Megachurch founder admits child sex abuse

The founder of a Texas megachurch who resigned last year after a woman in Oklahoma accused the pastor of sexually abusing her in the 1980s pleaded guilty Thursday to five counts of lewd and indecent acts with a child, authorities said.

Robert Preston Morris, 64, entered the pleas before a judge in Oklahoma’s Osage County as part of a plea agreement, according to the state attorney general’s office. The alleged abuse began in 1982 when the victim was 12 and Morris was a traveling evangelist staying in Hominy Oklahoma, with her family, according to the statement by Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond. The abuse allegedly continued for four years. Morris, the senior pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, until his resignation, was indicted by an Oklahoma grand jury last year Under the plea agreement, Morris received a 10-year suspended sentence with the first six months to be served in the Osage County Jail.

The victim, Cindy Clemishire, now 55, said in a statement that “justice has finally been served, and the man who manipulated, groomed and abused me as a 12-year-old innocent girl is finally going to be behind bars.”

Trump-Epstein statue is back up on D.C. Mall

The controversial statue of President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein holding hands has been reinstalled on the National Mall almost a week after it was taken down by the National Park Service.

“Just like a toppled Confederate general forced back onto a public square, the Donald Trump Jeffrey Epstein statue has risen from the rubble to stand gloriously on the National Mall once again,” a rep for the Secret Handshake wrote in an email. “The ‘Why Can’t We Be Friends?’ (originally titled Best Friends Forever) statue is repaired and back up for a limited time on 3rd Street just north of the U.S. Capitol.”

The statue was erected Thursday afternoon after the anonymous “satirical activist” group says it worked “nonstop on ways to get this up legally within the Parks Department’s process.”

$1M in coins found in shipwreck

BY KATE PAYNE Associated Press/Report for America

Hidden beneath the turquoise waters off a stretch of Florida known as the “Treasure Coast,” a team of divers from a shipwreck salvage company have uncovered exactly that — a load of long-lost Spanish treasure they estimate is worth $1 million.

More than 1,000 silver and gold coins thought to be minted in the Spanish colonies of Bolivia, Mexico and Peru were uncovered this summer off Florida’s Atlantic coast, 1715 Fleet — Queens Jewels LLC announced this week.

It’s not the first time the site has yielded a trove of, well, treasure.

Centuries ago, a fleet of Spanish ships laden with gold, silver and jewels taken from the New World was sailing back to Spain when a hurricane wrecked the flotilla on July 31, 1715, spilling the treasures into the sea, according to the 1715 Fleet Society Over the years, millions of dollars in gold coins from the 1715

Fleet have been found by salvagers and treasure hunters in a coastal area stretching from Melbourne to Fort Pierce. Dates and mint marks are still visible on some of the recently recovered coins, the salvage com-

pany said, a benefit for historians and collectors hoping to glean more from the lost treasure.

“This discovery is not only about the treasure itself, but the stories it tells,” Sal Guttuso, director of operations for the salvage compa-

Car ramming, stabbing attack at synagogue kills 2

BY BRIAN MELLEY, PAN PYLAS and IAN HODGSON Associated Press

MANCHESTER,England

An assailant drove a car into people outside a synagogue Thursday in northern England and then began stabbing them, killing two and seriously hurting at least three in what police called a terrorist attack on the holiest day of the Jewish year

Officers shot and killed the suspect at the synagogue in Manchester, police said, though authorities took some time to confirm he was dead because he was wearing a vest that made it appear as if he had explosives. Police later said he did not have a bomb.

The Metropolitan Police force in London, which leads the nation’s counterterrorism policing operations, declared the rampage a terrorist attack.

Authorities said the man believed responsible was a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent named Jihad AlShamie, who entered the U.K. as a young child and became a citizen in 2006. An initial check of records showed he was not part of a U.K counterterror program that tries to identify people at risk for being radicalized. Police also said three people were arrested on suspicion of acts of terrorism. They are two men in their 30s and a woman in her 60s.

Authorities were working to formally identify the dead and determine the motive for the attack.

At least three people were hospitalized in serious condition, officials said. One person sustained a stab wound while a second was struck by the car involved in the attack. A third person arrived at a hospital with an injury that may have been sustained as officers stopped the attacker

The assault took place as people gathered at an Orthodox synagogue in an outer neighborhood of Manchester on Yom Kippur, the day of atonement and the most solemn day in the Jewish calendar Police said the two people killed were Jewish.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced the “vile” assailant who “attacked Jews because they are Jews.” He promised the Jewish community that he would do “everything in my power to guarantee you the security that you deserve, starting with a more visible police presence.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel grieved with the Jewish community in the U.K.

“Our hearts are with the families of the murdered, and we pray for the swift recovery of the wounded,” he said. “As I warned at the U.N.: Weakness in the face of terrorism only brings more terrorism. Only strength and unity can defeat it.”

Abrego Garcia’s bid for asylum denied

BY TRAVIS LOLLER Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. A U.S. immigration judge has denied a bid for asylum from Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

The judge in Baltimore on Wednesday rejected an application to reopen Abrego Garcia’s 2019 asylum case. Abrego Garcia has 30 days to appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals.

The Salvadoran national immigrated to the United States illegally as a teenager In 2019, he was arrested by immigration agents. He requested asylum but was not eligible because he had been in the U.S. for more than a year But the judge ruled he could not be deported to El Salvador, where he faced danger from a gang that targeted his family

He was mistakenly deported to El Salvador by President Donald Trump’s administration in March and was held in

a notorious prison. The administration returned him to the U.S. in June, only to charge him with human smuggling. Abrego Garcia faces criminal charges in Tennessee, based on a 2022 traffic stop. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is also seeking to deport him to a third country His attorneys have denounced the criminal charges and the deportation efforts, saying they are an attempt to punish him for standing up to the administration. If approved, asylum could provide Abrego Garcia with a green card and a path to citizenship. But if he loses, an immigration judge could remove his protection from being returned to his native country That could place him back in the infamous Terrorism Confinement Center It’s where, he alleges in a lawsuit, he suffered severe beatings, sleep deprivation and psychological torture. El Salvador’s president has denied those allegations.

ny said in a statement. “Each coin is a piece of history, a tangible link to the people who lived, worked, and sailed during the Golden Age of the Spanish Empire. Finding 1,000 of them in a single recovery is both rare and extraordinary.”

Guttuso’s team employs dive crews and a fleet of boats and uses underwater metal detection-devices, plus hand-fanning of sand or sand suction to comb the sea floor, according to a public notice for a federal permit application the company filed. Under Florida law, any “treasure trove” or other historic artifacts “abandoned” on state-owned lands or in state waters belong to the state, though excavators can be permitted to carry out “recovery services.” The law requires that roughly 20% of the recovered archaeological materials be retained by the state for research collections or public display Guttuso said his team develops a detailed inventory of all the artifacts collected each season to be reviewed by the state.

FBI director touts city crime crackdown

BY CARSON SWICK Baltimore Sun (TNS)

BALTIMORE A three-month federal crime crackdown across America’s major cities led to more than 8,000 arrests and enough fentanyl to kill 50 million people being seized, FBI Director Kash Patel said Thursday during an interview with Baltimore Sun co-owner Armstrong Williams. Patel said “Operation Summer Heat,” the FBI’s nationwide initiative targeting violent crime from June 24 to Sept. 20, worked as President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to Washington, D.C. — and later other cities — in a more visible fashion.

Reported crime in the nation’s capital dropped by 18% during the first 30 days of that deployment, according to data analyzed by The Sun. Patel suggested the public-facing nature of National Guard troops in D.C. allowed FBI agents to break up crime behind the scenes. The director said Guardsmen were never intended to be law enforce-

ment officers, but needed to “set a stable perimeter” for agents to pursue organized crime and drug offenders.

The director credited collaboration with local law enforcement — and his decision to relocate more agents from D.C. to cities around the country — with helping to record 8,629 arrests, as well as seize 2,281 firearms and about 928 pounds of fentanyl nationally during Operation Summer Heat. Data from the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, or CID, also showed that agents seized 98,258 pounds and convicted 1,475 violent offenders during the mission.

CID data showed the FBI’s Baltimore field office — which covers all of Maryland and Delaware made 224 “violent crime arrests” from June 24 to Sept. 20, ranking 10th across all 56 FBI field offices nationally The top nine were New York (471), Los Angeles (441), Boston (404), Nashville (394), Jackson (369), Cincinnati (300), New Orleans (254), Miami (239) and Mobile (231).

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Trumpasks9 colleges to commit to hispolitical agenda

BY COLLIN BINKLEY and AAMER MADHANI Associated Press

WASHINGTON The White House is asking nine major universities to commit to President Donald Trump’s politicalpriorities in exchange for more favorable access to federal money

Adocument sent to the universities encourages them to adopt the White House’svision for America’s campuses,withcommitments to accept the government’spriorities on admissions, women’ssports, free speech, student discipline and college affordability, among other topics.

Signing on would give universities “multiple positive benefits,” including “substantial and meaningful federal grants” and “increased overhead payments where feasible,” according to a letter sent to universities alongside the compact. The letter calls it aproactive effortasthe administration continues to investigateallegedcivil rights violations at U.S. campuses. Called the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education,” it asks universities to accept the

government’sdefinition of gender and apply it to campus bathrooms, locker rooms andwomen’s sports teams It asks colleges to stopconsidering race, genderand awide range of student demographics in theadmissions process and to require undergraduate applicants to take the SATor ACT

The 10-page proposed agreement was sent Wednesdaytosome of themost selective public and private universities: Vanderbilt, the University ofPennsylvania,Dartmouth College,the University of Southern California, theMassachusetts Institute of Technology,the University of Texas, the University of Arizona, Brown University and the University of Virginia.Itwas not clear how these schoolswere selected or why

The nine universities couldbecome“initialsignatories” and are being invited to providefeedback before the languageis finalized, accordingtothe letter. It asks for adecision byNov.21.

Incentive-basedapproach

Thememorepresentsa shift in strategy as the administration offers areward —not just punishment— as

an incentive for adopting Trump’spolitical wish list. Many of the demands mirror those madebyhis administrationasitslashed billions of dollarsinfederal money for Harvard,Columbiaand others accused of liberal bias. Afederal judge overturned cuts at Harvard in September, saying the government had overstepped its authority

Severaluniversitiessaid they were reviewing the compact andhad no comment. Astatement from the UniversityofVirginia said there was nothing to suggest why it was chosen. The university’sinterim president assembled agroupof administrators on Thursday to review theletter Leaders of theTexassystem were “honored” that the Austin campus was chosen to be apartofthe compact andits “potentialfunding advantages,” according to astatement from Kevin Eltife, chairofthe Board of Regents.

Restrictions on enrollment

Under the compact, international enrollment would have to be capped at 15% of acollege’sundergraduate student body,and no more

than5%could comefroma single country. Allthe universities invited tothe compact appear tobewithin the 15% threshold, though Dartmouth andUSC are close, at 14%, according to federal data. Many universities do not report breakdowns by individual countries.

Most other U.S.universities also fall within the15% cap, but about 120 exceed it, federal data show Someofthe most sweeping commitments are aimed at promoting conservative viewpoints. Universities would have to ensure their campusesare a“vibrant marketplace of ideas” where no single ideologyis dominant,the compact said They wouldhavetoevaluate views amongstudents and faculty to ensure every department reflectsadiverse mix of views.

To accomplish that,itsays universitiesmust take steps,

including “transforming or abolishing institutional units thatpurposefully punish, belittle, and even spark violenceagainst conservative ideas.”

It requires policies meant to counterthe kind of protests that roiled U.S. campuses last year amidthe Israel-Hamas war. It asks fora commitment to prevent any disruption to classes or campus libraries andtoensure demonstrators don’theckle other students.

Campuses that sign the compact would have to freezetuitionfor U.S. studentsfor five years, and those with endowments exceeding $2 million per undergraduate could not charge tuition at all for students pursuing “hard science” programs.

Opponents’ reaction

TedMitchell, president of the American Council on

Education, urgeduniversities to reject the deal, saying it violates campus independence and undermines free speech.

“It’snot worth the compromises that they would have to make,” he said. “This is a Faustian bargain.”

Larry Summers, aformer Treasury secretary and Harvard president,saidhe believes elite universities have lost their way,but he said the compact is liketrying to “fix awatch with a hammer —ill conceived and counterproductive.”

“The backlash againstits cruditywilllikelyset back necessary reform efforts,” Summerssaid.

The terms of the deal would be enforced by the JusticeDepartment,with violators losing access to thecompact’sbenefits forno lessthana year.Following violations bumpthe penalty to twoyears.

Bloomberg News (TNS)

California Gov.Gavin

Newsom threatened to pull

“billions of dollars” in state funding from any California university that signs a Trump administration proposal offering preferential funding in exchange for certain demands. The University of Southern California was the only California school on thatlist.

“California will not bankroll schools that sell out their students, professors, researchers and surrender

academicfreedom,” Newsom said in astatement.

“Ifany California university signs this radical agreement, they’ll lose billions in state funding —including Cal Grants —instantly.” Newsom wouldalso require approval from the Legislature to be able to pull thefunds.

The White Househas threatened hefty cuts in federal funds to the state,includingmore than $500 million to the University of California-LosAngeles. The Trump administration sus-

pended the UCLAfunding over allegations of antisemitism andbiasoncampus.A federal judge later ordered themoney restored.

“President Donald Trump’s so-called proposed ‘compact’ is nothing short of ahostile takeover of America’suniversities,”Newsom said in the statement. “It would impose strictgovernment-mandated definitions of academic terms,erase diversityand ripcontrol away from campus leaders to install government-mandated conservative ideology in itsplace.”

Tuesday -Wednesday 10am -6pm |Thursday10am-5pm 11740 Coursey BlvdA,Baton Rouge,LA70816 Callfor directions: (225) 292-7482

Trumpthreatens mass firingsofworkers

BY LISA MASCARO, JOSH BOAK and SEUNG MIN KIM Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump has seized on the government shutdown as an opportunity to reshape the federalworkforce andpunish detractors, meeting with budget director Russ Vought on Thursday to talk through “temporaryorpermanent” spending cuts that could set up alose-lose dynamic for Democratic lawmakers.

Trump announced the meeting on social media Thursday morning, saying he and Vought would determine “which of the many Democrat Agencies” would be cut —continuing theirefforts to slash federal spending by threatening mass firings of workers and suggesting “irreversible” cuts to Democratic priorities.

“I can’tbelieve the Radical Left Democrats gave me this unprecedented opportunity,” Trump wrote on his social media account.

“They are not stupid people, so maybe this is their way of wanting to, quietly and quickly, MAKE AMERICA GREATAGAIN!”

Trump has been very direct about his intentions in saying thathebelieves the Democrats would get the blameifhechooses to fire people or cut spending as part of the shutdown.

“There could be firings and that’stheir fault,” the president said in an interview with One America News set to air Thursday.“I mean, we could cut projects that they wanted, favorite projects, and they’d be permanently cut.”

TheTruth Socialpostwas

BY JAIMIE DING Associated Press

LOS ANGELES Apopular

Alaskan climber fell to his death from Yosemite National Park’sElCapitan, marking the third death in the park this summer Balin Miller,23, died ina climbing accident Wednesday,his mother Jeanine Girard-Moorman confirmed.

“He’sbeen climbing since he wasayoung boy,” she said. “His heart and soul was truly to just climb. He loved to climb and it was never about money and fame.”

The death comesonthe first day of the federal government shutdown, which left national parks“generally”open, with limited operations and closed visitors centers, according to the National Park Service. The park service said in astatement that they are investigating the incident and “park rangers and emergency personnel responded immediately.” El Capitan is one of the moststriking featuresof Yosemite National Park, an enormous sheer granite rock face of approximately 3,000 feet that entices bigwall rock climbers from all over the world. Alex Honnold completed thefirst free solo climb of El Capitan in 2017 for the documentary “Free Solo.”

Many posted tributesto Miller on social media, saying theyhad watched him climb on aTikTok livestream for two days before his death and referring to him as “orange tent guy” because of his distinctive camp setup.

Earlier this year,an 18-year-old from Texas died in the park while free-solo-

notable in its explicit embraceofProject 2025, acontroversial policy blueprint drafted by the Heritage Foundation that Trump distanced himself from during his reelection campaign.

Theeffort aimed to reshape thefederal government around right-wingpolicies, and Democratsrepeatedly pointed to its goals to warn of the consequences of asecond Trumpadministration.

Voughton Wednesdayoffered an opening salvo of the pressure he hoped to put on Democrats.He announcedhewas withholding $18 billion for the Hudson River rail tunnel andSecond Avenue subway linein New York City that have been championed by both Democratic leaders, Senate

ing, or climbing without a rope, on adifferent formation.InAugust, a29-yearold woman died after being struck in the head by alarge tree branch while hiking.

While it’sstill unclear exactly what happened,his older brother,Dylan Miller, said Balin wasleadrope soloing —away to climb alonewhile still protected by arope —ona2,400-foot route named Sea of Dreams. He had already finishedthe climband washaulingup hislast bit of gear when he likely rappelledoff the end of his rope, Dylan said.

Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer andHouse Democratic LeaderHakeem Jeffries, in their home state.

“Trump’s so-called‘maximumpain’plan isn’t hurting Democrats— it’s hurting American families,” Schumer said in astatement Thursday.“He’ssnatching paychecks,threatening jobs, and deliberately inflicting suffering on working people just to score petty political points.

Meanwhile, theWhite House is preparing for mass firings of federal workers, rather than simply furloughing them, as is the usual practice during ashutdown. White House press secretary Karoline Leavittsaid earlier this week that layoffs were “imminent.”

Miller grew up climbing in Alaskawith his brother and their father,who was also a climber.While Dylan took a little moretime to fall in love with the sport, it stuck with his younger sibling instantly “He said he felt most alive when he was climbing,” Dylan Miller said.

This year,Balin Miller had also spent weeks solo climbing in Patagonia and theCanadian Rockies, ticking off anotoriously difficult ice climb called RealityBath, which had been unrepeated for 37 years, according to Climbing magazine.

“If they don’twant further harmontheir constituents back home, then theyneed to reopen the government,” Leavitt said Thursday of Democrats. Democratic lawmakers seeVoughtasthe architect of astrategy to refuse to spend congressionally approved funds, using atool known as a“pocket rescission” in which theadminis-

tration submits plans to return unspent money to Congress just before the end of the fiscal year,causing that money to lapse.

All of this means that Democratic spending priorities might be in jeopardy regardless of whether they wantto keep the government open or partially closed.

Aheadofthe endofthe fiscal year in September

Vought usedthe pocket rescission to block the spending of $4.9 billioninforeign aid.

White House officials refusedtospeculateonthe future use of pocket rescissions after rollingthemout in late August. But oneof Vought’sformer colleagues, insisting on anonymity to discuss the budgetdirector’s plans, said thatfuture pocket rescissions could be 20 times higher Thursday is Day 2ofthe shutdown, andalreadythe dialisturnedhigh. The aggressive approach coming from the Trumpadministration is what certain lawmakers and budget observers feared if Congress, which has the responsibility to pass legislation to fund government, failed to do its work and relinquished control to the White House.

Vought,ina private conference call with House

GOPlawmakers Wednesday afternoon, told them of layoffs starting in the next day or two. It’s an extension of the Department of Government Efficiencyworkunder Elon Musk that slashed through the federal governmentatthe start of the year “These areall things that theTrump administration hasbeen doing sinceJan 20,” Jeffriessaid. “The cruelty is the point.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, underscored Thursday that the shutdown givesTrump andVought vast power over the federal government. He blamed Democrats and said “they have effectively turned off the legislative branch” and“handedit over to the president.”

“WhenCongressturns off the funding, and the funding runs out, it is up to the commander-in-chief, thepresident of the United States, to determine howthose resources will be spent,” the speaker said. Still, Johnsonsaidthat Trumpand Voughttake“no pleasure in this.”

The Democrats are holding fast to their demands to preserve health care funding andrefusing to back a bill that fails to do so,warning of pricespikesfor millions of Americansnationwide.

Trump, Vought cut$7.6B in cleanenergyprojectsinbluestates

BY MATTHEW DALY and MICHAEL PHILLIS Associated Press

WASHINGTON The Trump administration is canceling $7.6 billioningrants that supported hundreds of clean energy projects in 16 states, all of which voted for Democrat Kamala Harris in last year’s presidential election.

The move comes as PresidentDonaldTrump threatens deep cuts in his fight with congressional Democrats over the government shutdown.

The Energy Department saidina statement Thursdaythat223 projects were terminated after areview determined they did not adequately advancethe nation’s energy needs or were not economically viable. Officials did not provide details about which projects are being cut, but said funding came from the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations,

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,and other DOE bureaus.

Thecutsare likelytoaffect battery plants, hydrogen technology projects, upgradestothe electric grid andcarbon-captureefforts, amongmanyothers, according to the environmental nonprofitNatural Resources Defense Council. RussellVought, the White House budgetdirector, highlighted thecutbacksina social media post lateWednesday, sayingmoney “to fuel the Left’sclimate agenda is beingcanceled.”

He said projects are on the chopping block inCalifornia, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey,New Mexico, New York,Oregon,Vermont and Washington state.

Vought and theEnergy Department did not explain how they came up with

their listoftargeted states, considering that dozens of stateshave clean energy projects. Butall 16 targeted states supported Harris, and in each of thosestates, both U.S.senatorsvoted against theRepublican’sshort-term funding bill to keep thegovernment working.

Thecutsinclude up to $1.2 billion forCalifornia’s hydrogen hub that is aimed at accelerating hydrogentechnology and production, and up to $1 billionfor ahydrogen project in the Pacific Northwest. ATexas hydrogenproject anda three-state project in West Virginia, Ohioand Pennsylvania were spared, according to clean-energy supporters who obtained a list of the DOEtargets

Trumpsaidinaninterview taped WednesdaywithOne America News, aconservative outlet, that his administration couldcut projects Democrats want —“favorite projects, and they’d be per-

Fundraiser forfamilyofchurch gunman raises more than $275K

BY ISABELLA VOLMERT Associated Press

LANSING, Mich. An online fundraiser for family members of the man who opened fire in aMichigan church and set it ablaze has raised over $275,000 as of Thursday in what the organizer described as a“whirlwind of love and forgiveness.

On Sunday, Thomas“Jake” Sanford, 40, drove his pickup truck intothe Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints chapel in Grand BlancTownship,nearFlint, shot at the congregation and set the building on fire. The attack killed four people, injured eight others and left the church destroyed. Police killed Sanford at the scene Dave Butler,aUtah resident and lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,watched news coverage of the attack for hours. The following day, he considered that Sanford’s family were also victimsof the attack.

“Weunderstandthat there is afamily that needs to be taken care of,” he said. Butlerset up the fundraiser on the platform GiveSendGo on Tuesday morning. He leveraged media connections from his participation in podcasts about the Latter-day Saints faith to help promotethe fundraiser.

Donations poured in and the effort quickly drew attention, too, highlighting many people being far more familiarwith efforts to raise money online for victimsof mass shootings in the U.S Authorities have not discussed Sanford’ otive for

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTO By RyAN SUN Awoman wearing an American RedCrossshirtisseen duringaservicehonoring the victims of the Sundaymorning shooting at theChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Mich., on Monday.

later broke up with awoman whowas amemberofthe faith.

Butler’soriginal goal was to raise $10,000 to help the family throughthe next few months.

He saidmany members of thefaith havearticulated thatcontributing felt like theright way to respond to the tragedy.“Ifeel like I’mresponding to an attack against usin the right way Nottoget revenge, not to getjustice,not to blame the wrongpeople,” Butler said.

Over 7,000 people contributed to the fundraiser for the Sanford family in the 48 hours since it was posted, raisingmore money than any of the verified online fundraisers for the churchgoers who werekilled or injured in theattack.Many left messagessaying that they are members of the wider church

“Another Latter-day Saint here, prayi for thisfamily

release by theirattorney, family members said, “No words can adequately conveyour sorrowfor thevictims and their families.”

Forgiveness is amandate formembers of thefaith, said DeidreNicole Green, assistant professor of Latterday Saint/Mormon Studies at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley,California. She said Joseph Smith’s Book of Doctrine and Covenants states that “itisup to God to forgive who God wants to forgive, but as human beings, we’re required to forgive everyone—even our enemies.”

“There is still somenuance that could apply to different situations,”Green said. “In one passage in the Book of Mormon, we’re told we need to forgive those who repent or when aperpetrator is seeking forgiveness.”

Butler pointed to several tenets of his faith that have likely inspired contributors,

manently cut.”

“I’mallowed to cut things that never should have been approved in the first place and Iwill probably do that,” Trump said. Aclip from the interview wasreleased ahead of the full interview set to air Thursday night.

Trump’scommentsshow thatheand Vought are treating American “families and their livelihoods likepawns in some sort of sick political game,” said Sen. PattyMurray,D-Wash.

“This administration has hadplansinthe worksfor monthstocancel critical energy projects, and now they are illegally takingaction to kill jobsand raise people’s energy bills,” shesaidina statement.“This is ablatant attempttopunish the political opposition.”

CaliforniaGov.Gavin Newsom said the private sector has committed $10 billion for the state’s hydrogen project. The cut

threatensover200,000 jobs, Newsom said.

The California project is one of seven clean-energy projects from West Virginia to Washington state selected by the Biden administration for a$7billion programto kickstart development and productionofhydrogenfuel, part of formerPresident Joe Biden’sagenda to slow climatechange.

TheDOE said it hasreviewed billions of dollars awardedbythe Bidenadministration after Trump won the presidentialelection. More than aquarter of therescinded grants were awarded between Election Dayand Inauguration Day, the department said.

“President Trump promised to protect taxpayer dollars andexpand America’s supply of affordable, reliable, and secure energy.Today’scancellationsdeliver on that commitment,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said.

Award recipients have 30 days to appeal theDOE’s termination decision. The Trump administration hasbroadly targeted climate programsand clean energy grants, and is proposing to roll back vehicle emission andother greenhouse gas rules it says can’tbejustified. Last week, the Energy Department rescinded $13 billion that was intended forclean energy projects. The money was authorized by Congress in the 2022 climate lawsignedbyBiden but had not yet been spent. Democrats and environmental organizationswere quick to slam the latest cuts, saying they would raise energy costs.

“This is yetanother blow by theTrump administration against innovative technology,jobs and the clean energyneeded to meet skyrocketing demand,” said Jackie Wong, asenior vice president at NRDC

By appointmentonly

defense of others against the ongoing attacks by these designated terrorist organizations,” the memo says Besidessignaling apotentialnew moment in Trump’sstated “America First” agenda that favors non-intervention overseas, thedeclaration raises stark questions about how far the White House intends to use its war powers and if Congress willexert itsauthority to approve —orban —such military actions.

“The United States is taking amuch more dramatic step —one that Ithink is avery, very far stretch of international law and a dangerous one,” said Matthew Waxman, who was a national security official in the GeorgeW.Bush administration. It “means the United States can target membersofthose cartels with lethal force. It means the UnitedStatescan capture and detain them without trial.”

The U.S. military last month carried out three deadly strikesagainst boats in the Caribbean that the administration accusedof ferrying drugs. At least two of those operations were

carried out on vesselsthat originated from Venezuela. Those strikes followed up abuildup of U.S. maritime forces in theCaribbean unlike any seen in recent times. TheNavy’spresence in the region —eight warshipswith over 5,000 sailors andMarines —has been pretty stable for weeks, according to two defense officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoingoperations.

The memo did notinclude atimestamp,but it references aSept. 15 U.S.strike that “resulted inthe destructionofthe vessel,the illicit narcotics, and the death of approximately 3unlawful combatants.”

“Aswe havesaidmany times, the President acted in line with the law of armed conflicttoprotect ourcountry from those tryingto bringdeadlypoisontoour shores, and he is deliveringonhis promise totake on the cartels and eliminate these national security threats from murdering more Americans,” the White House said Pentagon officials briefed senators on the strikes Wednesday,accordingto apersonfamiliar with the matter,who was notauthorized to commentpublicly andspoke onthe condition of anonymity.The Pentagon

referred questions to the WhiteHouse.

Whatthe Trump administration laid outatthe classified briefing at the Capitol wasperceived by several senators as pursuing anew legal framework that raised questionsparticularly regarding the role of Congress in authorizing any such action,that person said.

Pentagon officials also briefed House staffers last week on the strikes, according to anotherpersonwho was briefed on the meeting and similarly spoke on condition of anonymity

The memo, which was reported earlier by The New York Times,lays out arationale seen bothasthe administration’sjustification for themilitarystrikes it has already taken on the boats in the Caribbean —which have raised concerns from lawmakers as potentially unlawful —aswellasany action to come.

AWhite House official who wasn’tauthorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity saidthe memo was sent to Congress on Sept. 18 anddoes notconvey any new information. The person familiar with the Senate briefing said it was transmitted this week. Trump hasdesignated sev-

eral LatinAmericandrug cartelsasforeignterrorist organizations, and the administrationhad previously justifiedthe military action as anecessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into theUnited States.

Pentagon officials could not provide alistofthe designated terrorist organizations at the center of the conflict, amatter that was a major source of frustration for some of thelawmakerswho were briefed this week, according to one of thepeople familiar with the briefings

While “friendly foreign nations have made significant efforts to combat these organizations,” the memo said, the groups “are now transnational and conduct ongoingattacks throughout theWestern Hemisphere as organized cartels.” The memo refers to cartel members as “unlawful combatants.”

The Trump administration is trying to justify the use of military force against drug

cartelsinthe same waythe Bush administration justifiedthe waragainstal-Qaida following the Sept. 11 attacks, saidWaxman,who served in the State and Defense Departments andon the National Security Council under Bush.

Bush, however,had authorization from Congress, unlike Trump. TheTrump administration is arguing that it no longerhas to consider the individual circumstances of using force, saidWaxman, who nowchairs Columbia Law School’sNational Security Law Program.

“It’sbasically saying, ‘We don’thave to engage in that kind of case-by-casedecision-making,’ ”Waxman said. “All of these vessels thatare carrying enemy personnel can be targeted, whetherthey’re headed towards the United States or not.”

During her workinAfrica, Pfifer tackled anumber of issues, including reducing food insecurity in Madagascar,providing emergency assistance for afood crisis in Niger, dealing with the South Sudanese refugee crisis, and serving as deputy chief for aproject providing HIV/AIDS care in Tanzania.

Pfifer holds an undergraduate degree in international economics and financefrom theCatholic Universityof America and amaster’sde-

gree in internationalpolitical economyand development fromFordham University. In 2017, Fordham honored herfor her work in Africa, presentingher with the Swanstrom-Baerwald Award which recognizes graduates whomadenotable contributions in the service of faith. “I am honored to jointhe Greater Baton Rouge Food Bankand build on its incredible legacy of serviceand compassion,”Pfifer said in thenews release. “Weremain committed toensuring every family has access to nutritious meals and gains the knowledge andsupport they need to thrive.”

The Greater Baton Rouge

Food Bankdistributes millions of mealsannually through itsnetwork of pantries andpartner agencies in 11 parishes.

Like other food banks across thecountry,it’sbeen impactedbya40% reductioninfederal food support since 2024. This past spring, the Food Bank reduced its capacity from providing 25 poundsoffood perperson to 20 pounds. Then,inJuly it had to makeasecond cutback, going from 20 pounds per person to 15. The national average is 13.5 pounds.

Email Ellyn Couvillionat ecouvillion@theadvocate. com.

Waxman said he expects more strikesand “we’ll see if the UnitedStatestakes the next big step and engages in lethal force or armed force on the territory of another state.”

Lawmakers of both major political parties have pressedTrump to seek war powers authority from Congress for operations against alleged drug traffickers. Several senators andhumanrights groups have questioned the legality of the strikes, calling them potential overreach of executive authority in part because the military was used forlaw enforcement purposes. Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the topDemocrat on theSenate Armed Services Committee, said drug cartels are“despicable”but the Trump administration has offered “no credible legaljustification, evidence or intelligencefor these strikes.” Reed, aformer Army officer,said“everyAmerican should be alarmed that theirPresident hasdecided he can wage secret wars against anyone he calls an enemy.”

SAINTS

On the stadium lease, formally called the “Stadium Use Agreement,” the state represented by the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District, known as the Superdome Commission

— won several concessions compared with the landmark 2009 deal negotiated under former Gov. Bobby Jindal.

The Saints will no longer automatically receive 42% of all gross food and beverage sales at games. Instead, the parties will use profitsharing model: the Superdome Commission will share in annual concession proceeds above $7 million, while the Saints will contribute $2.75 million each year toward overhead costs.

If concession proceeds do not reach $7 million, the Saints will still get 38% of gross sales, but only if annual attendance tops 530,000 If not, their share drops to 37%.

In addition, the deal gives the state more favorable terms in marketing the Dome’s exclusive suites for marquee events such as the Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four and College Football Playoff games, while also requiring the Saints to share in the costs of future upgrades, including those mandated by the NFL.

The new lease also includes the first-ever provisions meant to deter a future owner from relocating the team. This version of the lease is likely to extend past Benson’s lifetime, which

CHARTER

Continued from page 1A

Rouge has closed two lowperforming charter schools and replaced the operators of two more.

Tania Nyman, a community activist with two children who’ve graduated from the school system, objected to all items voted on Thursday, saying they all serve to reduce local control of education.

“This is an erosion of actually genuine public schools,” Nyman said.

Board member Mike Gaudet agreed with Nyman’s broad point about the new charter rules

“The vast majority of this is stuff the state Legislature has taken out of our control,” Gaudet said. “This is moving more and more away from local control of schools.”

Nevertheless, Gaudet said it’s important to adopt the rules of the road.

“Whether you agree or don’t agree, the general public will know what the rules are,” he said.

Charter advocates had sought to get new rules in place before the Sept. 8 start of the annual application period for new charter schools. The item was delayed due to concerns from board members. Board members in favor of the proposals tried unsuccessfully on Sept. 18 to force the issue on the agenda.

means it will likely be in place at the time that a new owner buys the team.

Should the Saints decline to renew after the initial 10year term, they would owe the state $75 million — a penalty that gets smaller over time Separate “liquidated damages” provisions, initially as high as $200 million, are designed to recoup some of the state’s investment in Superdome renovations. Those also decline over the life of the agreement.

It’s not clear the extent to which the provisions in the lease would dissuade a future owner from moving the team In the past, Benson said that Saints President Dennis Lauscha, who will likely negotiate the sale some day, has been instructed not to sell to anyone who

The application period ends Oct. 20.

Gaudet proved to be the swing vote.

He voted in favor of fiveto 10-year renewals for schools with “A” and “B” state-issued letter grades — current rules cap the length of renewals at five years for “A”-rated schools and four years for “B”-rated schools. That provision passed by a 5-4 margin.

The new rule would renew “A”-rated schools for seven more years and “B”-rated schools for five more years. “A”-rated schools, though, could potentially receive 10-year renewals if they earned “Meets All Expectations” in every area during every year of their previous contracts. “B”-rated schools that do the same could earn seven-year renewals.

Gaudet, however, switched when it came to the proposal to allow certain “D”-rated charter schools the chance to get a “material amendment” to their contracts to add students or grade levels early if they also earned an “A”-progress letter grade in advancing its lowest performing students That provision failed by a 4-5 margin, with Gaudet voting no.

Gaudet said the board might face court challenges if it approved an early expansion for one “D”-rated school but rejected another Board member Dadrius Lanus was the most vocal board member in opposing

would consider moving the Saints out of New Orleans.

The NFL and its owners also have a role in approving any ownership transition, which would require a vote of support by at least threequarters of the owners.

The state and Benson’s ownership group also reached a new lease for Benson Tower, the 26-story office building adjacent to the Superdome that has long been a point of contention.

Under the new terms, the state government will lease the building for 10 years, with a single five-year extension option That replaces the previous arrangement, under which the Benson Tower lease was automatically tied to the length of the stadium lease.

The deal reduces the amount of space the state

both proposed changes. He said he continues to support charter schools, but suggested now is not the right time to add more charter schools. He said the school system needs time and space to improve its operations through the “realignment plan” it approved in April, which closed nine schools and made changes to 28 in total.

Lanus also objected to the influence of charter advocate groups.

“It’s getting to the point where some stuff just has to be called out,” he said.

“It’s OK to vote no if something is wrong,” he added.

Board member Patrick Martin V rejected Lanus’ framing of the issue, saying these were votes on two discrete issues.

“This vote is not a referendum on charter schools,” he said.

Superintendent LaMont Cole supported an even more pro-charter proposal that would have given a 10year automatic renewal to “A”-rated charter schools.

Before becoming superintendent last year, Cole spent 13 years working for local charter school network, CSAL Inc. CSAL’s middle school received a 10-year renewal a year ago that Cole said was crucial in allowing it to obtain loans needed to improve its facilities.

Email Charles Lussier at clussier@theadvocate. com.

gains the right to sublet unused space.

The state’s share of operating expenses is also reduced, and the lease includes an exit clause if Benson were to no longer own the Saints.

The state also secured more favorable terms for Champions Square, the outdoor entertainment space next to the Superdome that is owned by Benson.

The lease will now run for 10 years with no renewal options, at a fixed rent of $2.2 million annually Parking revenue from the property will go to the state, while the two sides will split the costs of future upgrades equally

Finally, the ground lease for the Saints’ training facility in Metairie has been extended on the same timetable as the stadium agreement, but with additional costs shifted toward the team. The Saints will now pay a larger share of operating expenses, particularly the insurance bill.

Taken together, the package represents the most

significant overhaul of the Saints’ lease arrangements since 2009. While the team retains key revenue streams that help it stay competitive in one of the NFL’s smallest markets, the state secured limits on costs, greater protections for taxpayers and provisions that tie the Saints to New Orleans for the foreseeable future.

Bensel said the Saints organization sees the deal as mutually beneficial.

“We have negotiated at various times with the state on lease extensions for more than 20 years and we must say that we are extremely pleased with the outcome of this particular agreement,” he said.

“Our goal remains to be here long-term, continue to improve the stadium for the benefit of our fans and be a great partner to the city of New Orleans and state of Louisiana,” Bensel added.

Email Anthony McAuley at tmcauley@theadvocate. com.

TheWaitIsAlmostOver Fall 2025

as Israeli navy soldiers sail it into the port of Ashdod, Israel, on Thursday after it

Boats attempting to break Gaza blockade intercepted

BY IBRAHIM HAZBOUN and RENATA BRITO Associated Press

JERUSALEM Hundreds of Israeli police officers were deployed Thursday to the southern port of Ashdod to process some 450 international activists detained by Israeli naval forces hours earlier in the Mediterranean Sea, Israeli authorities said The activists were taking part of a flotilla attempting to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza when their vessels were intercepted, drawing widespread condemnation and sparking protests around the world.

The Global Sumud Flotilla was the largest yet to try to break the blockade, and it comes at a time of growing criticism of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, where its offensive has laid waste to wide swaths of territory and killed tens of thousands of people.

Activists had said they hoped that the sheer number of boats would make it more difficult for Israeli authorities to intercept them all — but Israel’s Foreign Ministry declared the operation over on Thursday afternoon Israeli police shared a video showing some 600 officers working on the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur considered the holiest in the Jewish calendar, to register the detained activists ahead of their expected deportations Thousands of people supporting the flotilla took to the streets in several major cities after news of the interception broke to decry the

Israeli operation and the ongoing offensive in the Gaza Strip. Italy’s largest union called for a one-day general strike on Friday

The flotilla, which started out with more than 40 boats and some 450 activists, was carrying a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Its main goal, they said, remained “to break Israel’s illegal siege and end the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people.”

Israel’s Foreign Ministry dismissed it as a “provocation,” saying that various countries have offered to deliver the aid the boats were carrying. Israel has come under intense criticism for how much aid it lets into Gaza and how it distributes the goods It has vehemently denied it is committing genocide.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commended his nation’s navy and soldiers for stopping the flotilla on Yom Kippur.

Flotilla organizers said at least 41 of their boats were intercepted or assumed intercepted in the nightlong Israeli operation. Israeli authorities later said only one boat remained “at a distance” and would be intercepted if it approached.

The Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, triggered this war Militants killed some 1,200 people that day, while 251 others were abducted. Forty-eight hostages are still held in Gaza — around 20 believed to be alive.

Israel’s ensuing campaign has killed more than 66,000

Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and militants in its toll.

Israeli forces detained and removed dozens of people — including Greta Thunberg, former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau and European Parliament member Rima Hassan from the flotilla.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry posted photos and videos of some of the detainees saying in a statement that they were “safe and in good health” and would be transferred to Israel for deportation.

Turkey, Colombia, Pakistan and others condemned Israel’s interception of the flotilla.

Italy, France, Poland and other European nations, which had warned the activists not to continue the journey and avoid confrontation with Israel, said they were working with Israeli diplomatic authorities to ensure their citizens were transferred to land and deported home swiftly

Israel has argued its actions constitute a lawful naval blockade needed to prevent Hamas from importing arms, while critics consider it collective punishment of Palestinians in Gaza.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced late Wednesday that his government would expel Israel’s diplomatic delegation in the South American country and terminate a free trade agreement with Israel over the interception. Two Colombian citizens are taking part in the flotilla.

Woman sues Mississippi police over son’s killing

BY SOPHIE BATES Associated Press

JACKSON,Miss.— The mother of a 25-year-old Black man who was fatally shot by police is suing the officers involved, the Mississippi Capitol Police and the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, among others. Arkela Lewis’ son, Jaylen Lewis, was shot by Capitol Police during a traffic stop on Sept. 25, 2022. Two officers involved, Stephen Frederick and Michael Rhinewalt, were indicted for manslaughter in March. Both have entered not guilty pleas and are no longer employed with DPS.

According to the lawsuit, Frederick, Rhinewalt and other Capitol Police officers were conducting a drug op-

eration when they pulled Lewis over He reversed his car into a police vehicle, and officers opened fire.

“Jaylen (did not) brandish a weapon, reach for a weapon, make any violent gestures, threaten anyone or otherwise take any actions that could reasonably be perceived as endangering officers,” the lawsuit says.

Arkela Lewis, who has spoken out against Capitol Police, is asking the court to force DPS and Capitol Police to adopt a policy that would “prevent future instances of the type of misconduct” that led to her son’s death. She is also seeking compensation for emotional damages.

“The Mississippi Department of Public Safety is aware of the lawsuit

and does not comment on pending litigation,” Bailey Martin, a spokesperson for the department, wrote in a statement. Rhinewalt and another Capitol Police officer are also being sued by another woman, Sherita Harris, who says she was shot in the head by Rhinewalt during a pursuit after a traffic stop, also in 2022.

The officers have said the car Harris was in fled after they exited their patrol vehicle, and they heard gunshots from the car as they gave chase, according to court records.

Two officers involved in that shooting, including Rhinewalt, have been indicted on aggravated assault charges. They have both pleaded not guilty

BY JOSH FUNK AP transportation writer

Two Delta Air Lines regional jets collided at the intersection of two taxiways at LaGuardia Airport in New York, injuring a flight attendant, damaging a cockpit and tearing off part of a wing, the National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday.

The NTSB said it sent a team of 10 investigators to the airport after the collision Wednesday night, and flight recorders have already been recovered from both airplanes and sent to its headquarters for analysis. It wasn’t immediately clear who was at fault, but air traffic control had instructed the Virginia-bound plane “to hold short and yield to the other aircraft” before the collision the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement An aircraft carrying 32 people was preparing for takeoff to Roanoke, Virginia, when its wing made contact with the fuselage of an aircraft arriving from Char-

lotte, North Carolina, with 61 people aboard, according to a statement from Delta. The airline described it as a “low-speed collision.” But it would not provide the planes’ exact speeds, saying in a statement that that information is “germane to the open and ongoing investigation.”

Images of the damage showed the broken wing on one plane while the other plane’s cockpit window was shattered and its nose was deeply gouged in several places.

State financial aid computers disrupted

Agency says payments may be delayed because of tech outage

BY PATRICK WALL Staff writer

A technology outage has hobbled the state agency that manages Louisiana’s TOPS scholarship and college-savings programs, which could cause payment delays, the agency said Thursday

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance, or LOSFA, is experiencing an “incident” that disrupted its information technology systems, according to a statement posted online and sent to the news media Thursday afternoon.

The agency administers the state’s TOPS college-scholarship

program and its START program, a 529 education savings account program to help families save for college or private school tuition.

As of Thursday afternoon, the START website and an online tool for students to track their TOPS scholarships were not working.

The outage could lead to delayed

scholarship or savings account payments, according to the statement, which said the Louisiana State Police and other agencies are investigating the cause.

The statement raised several unanswered questions, including whether the disruption was due to a cyberattack and whether students’ and families’ personal data

ä See OUTAGE, page 4B

“While we continue the investigation, we have notified all institutions regarding potential delayed student START account or state scholarship payments,” the statement said. “We have asked institutions to extend payment deadlines to minimize any disruptions to education.”

GO LONG!

The Huey P Long statue at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge holds Mardi Gras beads on Thursday

System to track problems at BREC parks

BY ELLYN COUVILLION Staff writer

Anyone who sees a problem at a BREC park can now report it by phone, email or mobile app to get it corrected, according to the East Baton Rouge Parish parks and recreation agency

The process automatically creates a work ticket that’s routed directly to the staff that would handle the issue, “whether it’s about broken equipment, landscaping problems or safety issues,” BREC said in a news release Wednesday

The system also allows parkgoers to follow the progress of the ticket until the issue is resolved BREC’s “Rapid Response” program went live on Sept. 8. Since then, 333 customer-generated tickets have been submitted and 213 have been resolved, BREC said in the news release.

“By making it easier for residents

Study: La. ranks 49th in health, climate

State faces intense, frequent hazards

BY JOSIE ABUGOV Staff writer

Twenty years after New Orleans area hospitals faced fatal infrastructure failures in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana’s health care facilities are still extremely vulnerable to flood risks and other natural hazards, according to a new nation-

wide study Louisiana came out 49th overall on a range of health and environmental metrics, which means that the state faces intense and frequent hazards, while lacking comprehensive energy and environmental policies, researchers at Northeastern and Yale Universities found.

The District of Columbia was included alongside the 50 states, making Louisiana third-to-last across the country Kentucky and West Virginia performed

worse, while Mississippi and Florida scored higher The state ranked near the bottom on health care facility risk from floods and other natural hazards, as well as energy efficiency policy It performed better on metrics such as average air quality. Vermont and New York ranked first and second nationwide. Commonwealth Fund, a health care philanthropy organization that funded the independent research, released the state-bystate scorecard Thursday It is

the first study comparing all states and Washington, D.C., on the environmental risks “that threaten people’s health and the health care systems that serve them,” the report says.

“Climate change and extreme weather are really health care issues and they’re impacting directly people’s health, sometimes even their lives,” said Lovisa Gustaffson, vice president at Commonwealth Fund.

La.-based actor Jerry Leggio dies at 90

BY ROBIN MILLER Staff writer

Jerry Leggio could have left

Rouge for Hollywood but opted to stay home and bring Hollywood to Louisiana. He not only was successful in

mission but built a career in

television and on stage while living in his hometown. Leggio died in his Baton Rouge home on Wednesday at age 90. “When he was a teenager, he was in the cast of a local variety show called ‘Hit and Miss,’ ” his daughter, Felicia Leggio Braud said “His castmates were Donna Douglas, Elizabeth Ashley and Rex Reed.” Ashley and Reed eventually left for successful careers in New York. Douglas would make her name in Hollywood. And all tried to encourage Leggio to follow their paths. “He always was leading man material,” said Becky Barcelona Horn, who worked with Leggio productions at Baton Rouge Little Theater, which eventually changed its name to Theatre Baton Rouge. “I met my husband there, and we be-

came best friends with Jerry and his wife, Gloria.” Gloria Leggio shied away from the spotlight, always choosing to work with props and costumes backstage while her husband shone in such productions of “The King and I” and “Camelot,” where he once played Lancelot early in his career

N.O. man accusedofinjuringapartment owner

ANew Orleans man wasarrested Wednesdayfor allegedly punching a75-year-old apartment owner,leaving theolder man with brain bleeding and bruising.

Hakeem Joseph, 32, was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish prison on a count each of second-degree battery and cruelty to the infirm.

Police originally responded to the Tiger Plaza apartments on Jim Taylor Drive on Sept. 11 inresponse to abattery call,according to an arrest warrant for Joseph. Awitness who works at the complex told police she andthe older man visited aunit to try to speak with the leaseholder

They raninto Joseph, and asked him and afew other men to leave thepremisessince they didnot live at the complex and were trespassing.

An argument ensued, at which point the apartment manager and owner returned to the office. There, the altercation grew physicalwhen awoman, believed to be Joseph’s girlfriend,came into theoffice and began to fight the apartment manager Sheleft,only forJosephtocome into theoffice asking forhis girlfriend’scellphone.

This part of the altercation was filmedbya witness, whoshowed it to police.

In the video, the 75-year-old apartment owner can be seen yelling “Wedon’tsee your phone, please leavehere,” before being punched on the left side of his jaw andcollapsing. The man was taken to the hospitalfor treatment, but hadno memory of the battery due to his injuries.Hesuffered bleeding and bruising on hisbrain, afractured bone on theleft side of hisface and bruising on his body,according to Joseph’sarrest warrant.

BR man, his ex-girlfriend accused of raping child

ABaton Rouge man andhis ex-girlfriend, who fled thestate to North Dakota, are accused of

sexually abusing two children andperforming othercrimes against nature.

Shalom Moalem-Rabi, 41, was booked into the parish prison on Wednesday on acount each of first-degree rape of avictim under theage of 13,molestation of ajuvenile and aggravated crimes against nature.

His ex-girlfriend, Allison Stearns, was arrested in Stark County, North Dakota, earlier in September on acount each of molestation of ajuvenile and aggravated crimes against nature.

The couple is accused of sexually abusing twochildren,who were both younger than 7atthe time, in 2023. An FBItip was given to East BatonRouge Par-

ish Sheriff’s Office detectives in May

Moalem-Rabi is accused of having the children perform sex acts on him and raping oneofthem. Stearns was allegedly aware of and present during these crimes. The two are also accused of having sex and watching pornography in thepresenceofthe children.

Stearns is awaiting extradition from North Dakota.

“The conduct alleged in this case is disgusting,” saidAttorney General Liz Murrill in atweet posted Thursday afternoon.“I fully support District Attorney Hillar Moore andwhatever charges he deems appropriate for this depraved conduct.”

The state Department of Health did not respond toa request for comment.

Among the eightmetrics that the researchers studied, Louisiana ranked worst on its health care facility flood risk. 10.5% of inpatient facility beds are in a“highhazard flood zone,” according to data the researchers analyzed from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.Only Florida, where 15%ofthe beds areatrisk, exceeded Louisiana.

Thestudy didnot provide examples of specific facili-

LEGGIO

Continued from page1B

“For him, his most memorable rolewas as Stanley in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire,’ ”Braudsaid. “Healways talked aboutit, and two years ago, we found out ‘Streetcar’ wascoming to New Orleans, so my husband and Itook my dadto the Marigny Opera House to see it. Afterward, we took aphoto of the two Stanleys —mydad and Sean Richardson in that production —together.Itmeant alot.”

In 1965,Jerry Leggio designed the film casting system for the Louisiana State Employment Service, known today as LaWORKS. Thesystem was so successful that some 20 other states adopted the program.

Four years later,heheaded aLouisiana State Science Foundation project titled “Development of the Motion Picture Industry in Louisiana,” which not only received national acclaim but led to the formationof the Louisiana Film Commission.

In 1975, JerryLeggio led acommittee to establish the National Cineposium, which became the Association of Film Commissioners’ flagship conference.In 2014, he received the Anne Price LifetimeAchievement Award. When he wasn’tworking on the administrative side of putting Louisiana on Hollywood’sradar,hewas busy

ties and associated risks.

“Louisiana is more vulnerable to environmental hazards and climate risks, so it has morehealth care facilities in locations facinggreater natural hazard risksthan other states,”said Melanie Marino, aPh.D. candidate at Northeastern and one of the authors of the study.“While states can’tchange their geography,they canmake policy decisionsthat affect health caresystems and public health are impacted.”

Thestate also ranked near thebottom of thecountry at No. 46 for health care facility risk for natural hazards in general, including hurricanes and heat waves, and energyefficiency

compilinganimpressive résumé of film and television roles, which included appearances in Louisianafilmedmovies “Hush HushSweet Charlotte”in 1964, “Alvarez Kelly” in 1966, “Blaze”in1989 and “Heaven’sPrisoners” in 1996.

“He told us astory about filming ‘Hush…Hush SweetCharlotte’ at Houmas House,”Braud said. “He had turned out alight on set,and the manincharge of lighting chewed him outfor it.Bette Davis saw what happened, andshe asked Daddytotake awalk with her.”

Davis was the film’smain star.When she stopped filming to take astroll with

Some of the state-levelpolicyrecommendations from the report include building moreresilient and clean energy infrastructure and giving more funding to relief centersinhigh-risk areas. Theresearchersalso noted the importance of individual structural improvements, such as raising buildings and erecting flood barriers. Efforts to combat some of these vulnerabilitieshave expanded in recentyears. Together Louisiana, astatewide coalition, is tryingto bring solar and batterypowered “resilience hubs” to every neighborhood in New Orleans and North Baton Rouge.Another nonprofit, the Louisiana Public

Jerry Leggio along Houmas House’s grounds,the entire crew could do nothing but wait.

“She toldDaddy,‘They won’tget on to you again, because this walk is costing them $10,000,’” Braudsaid.

“She didn’tlike what that man did to Daddy,soshe stopped the filming.”

Theatre Baton Rouge veteran Albert Nolan, who shared the stage with Jerry Leggioinseveral productions, remembers spotting him on television while on a trip in London.

“I’d just returned to my room in the hotel and turned on the television,” he said.

“And thereIwas in London watching Jerry in ashow

Health Institute, is similarly proposing to bring the clean technology to community health centerstokeep operations running before, during and after adisaster Slightly better airquality

While Louisianaand many of itsneighbors in the Southeastranked on the lower end of the study,the state performedbetter on its air quality ranking, coming in 9th across the nation.

On this metric, Southwestern states performed the worst. Arizona had the worst air quality in thenation, followed by Californiabased on the federal Air Quality Index, which gauges pollutionlevels from five chemi-

filmed in Baton Rouge. When Igot back,I told Jerry,‘Ijust can’t getaway from you.’We laughed about it.”

Nolan remembers Jerry Leggio not only as agreat actor but agracious person.

“I learnedsomuchfrom him by just sharing the stage with him,”hesaid. “He was the epitome of the Southern gentleman, and he was very, very good at his craft.”

KeithDixon, Theatre Baton Rouge’sformer managing artistic director, said JerryLeggio was “part of the heartbeat of Baton Rouge’stheater community.”

“Heand his wife, Gloria, were institutions within themselves,” Dixon said

cals regulated by the Clean Air Act. This is likely due to pollutants fromwildfires, amongothergeographic factors.

“Eventhough Louisiana showsupdown the list abit, it’scertainly not at the bottom forevery indicator,and as we found when we looked across the country,it’sa mixed bag forevery state,” said Matthew Eckelman, a researcher on the project and professorofcivil and environmental engineering at Northeastern.

Still, he notedthatthe air quality index isn’tfocused on many of the pollutants that come out of petrochemical facilities. The state’sindustrial corridor between

“Theywerethe heartbeat that madeitall work, and Jerry wasjustsucha good man.”

Jerry Leggio suffered from alongillness andentered hospice care in July He turned 90 only aweek before his death.

“What’s unusual is that he wasactually pretty shy,” Braud said. “You wouldn’t knowitbyhis reputation, but he was alittle bit shy at times. But he would sure comealive on stage. That’s where he shined.”

Braud said Jerry Leggio also lovedtalking about his experiences and maintained an online blog called “Mustard Sandwiches”atmustardsandwiches.blogspot.

New Orleans andBaton Rouge is dubbed “Cancer Alley” by activists due to its high levels of airpollution and health risks. Those pollutants —called volatile organic compounds —are not part of the index on their own, though they affect the levels of ground-level ozone, whichisone part of the index. On other metrics incorporated into the study,Louisiana ranked slightly worse than average. This includes health risks from extreme heat,health impactsfrom electricity emissions, health care sector greenhouse gas emissions and emissions from health care worker commutes.

com, wherehewrote about them

“He wasreally agreat family man and always so much funtobearound,” she said. Jerry Leggio is survived by his wife;Braud;and his sons, Mike and Darrell. He waspreceded in deathbyhis oldest son, Jerry Leggio II. Amemorial service is scheduledfor 4p.m. Tuesday at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St. Afuneral Mass will follow at 11 a.m.Wednesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church 2250 Main St.

Email RobinMillerat romiller@theadvocate. com.

Unof

Popeyes to build 300 restaurants in Mexico

Popeyes said it will make a major expansion in Mexico, working with four franchisees to open more than 300 restaurants across the country over the next decade.

There are 42 Popeyes restaurants in Mexico, according to its website, with most around Mexico City and in the state of Jalisco.

“Mexico represents a tremendous growth opportunity for Popeyes, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with experienced and passionate franchisees who share our vision,” said Duncan Montero, LAC president of Restaurant Brands International, parent company of Popeyes. Miami-based RBI also owns Burger King, Tim Hortons and Firehouse Subs.

Popeyes has more than 5,000 locations worldwide. The chain has made recent aggressive moves to grow internationally, launching ambitious plans to open 1,700 restaurants in China over the next decade, while moving into Italy Czech Republic, Costa Rica, South Korea and Poland.

NBCUniversal, YouTube TV mend rift with deal

YouTube TV and NBCUniversal announced a new distribution agreement Thursday, averting a blackout that could have interrupted programming routines for nearly 10 million customers.

NBCUniversal secured carriage for its entire portfolio of TV channels, including NBC, CNBC and Spanish-language Telemundo In addition the company will launch a new channel, NBC Sports Network, this fall and it will join YouTube TV’s lineup. The deal also makes Universal movies and television shows available to YouTube consumers on-demand.

YouTube now ranks as the nation’s top video provider, according to Nielsen.

Wall Street ticks to more records, led by tech

NEW YORK U.S. stocks edged up to more records on Thursday as technology stocks kept rising and as Wall Street kept ignoring the shutdown of the U.S. government.

The S&P 500 added 0.1% to its all-time high set the day before. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 79 points, or 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.4%. Both also hit records. Thursdays on Wall Street typically have investors reacting to the latest weekly tally of U.S. workers applying for unemployment benefits. But D.C.’s shutdown meant this week’s report on jobless claims has been delayed Friday’s monthly tally of jobs created and destroyed across the economy also will likely not arrive on schedule.

That increases uncertainty when much on Wall Street is riding on investors’ expectation that the job market is slowing by enough to convince the Federal Reserve to keep cutting interest rates, but not by so much that it leads to a recession Musk reports Tesla sales jump after boycotts

NEW YORK Months after Elon Musk left the Trump administration to the relief of Tesla investors worried about boycotts, the world’s richest man has announced some good news: Sales of Tesla cars are back. Well, maybe. The electric vehicle maker run by Musk reported Thursday that car sales jumped 7% in the three months through September after plunging for most of the year as people turned off by his embrace of President Donald Trump and far-right politicians in Europe balked at buying his cars. But the jump comes with a caveat: Tesla benefited from consumers taking advantage of a $7,500 tax credit before it expired on Sept. 30, a surge in buying that helped all EV makers. In fact, many Tesla rivals saw sales rise more. Rivian Automotive reported a 32% increase.

BUSINESS

$9.7B OxyChem deal reached

Bid potentially Warren Buffett’s last big deal

BY JOSH FUNK Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb Berkshire Hathaway is buying Occidental Petroleum’s chemical division for $9.7 billion in what may be the last big acquisition involving the consummate dealmaker, Warren Buffett. Buffett wasn’t mentioned anywhere in materials released by Berkshire Hathaway discussing the deal Thursday, potentially

signaling a passing of the torch to Vice Chair Greg Abel, to whom Buffett will hand the CEO title in January But given the relationship that Buffett has with Occidental CEO Vicki Hollub, who he has praised ever since helping her with an acquisition back in 2019, and the fact that he likes to be involved anytime Berkshire spends more than $1 billion dollars, he certainly had a role. Even after the transition, Buffett will remain chairman at Berkshire and will still be involved in deciding how to spend the conglomerate’s colossal pile of more

than $344 billion cash. Berkshire’s cash reserves have been growing for years because Buffett has been unable to find any major acquisitions at attractive prices since completing the $11.6 billion acquisition of Alleghany Insurance in 2022. Prices for big acquisitions have been driven higher in recent years by the entry of more hedge funds in the market. The OxyChem deal is sizeable, but it still uses less than 3% of Berkshire’s cash and likely isn’t big enough to make a significant difference in the conglomerate’s

bottom line. Investors seemed underwhelmed with the deal with Berkshire’s shares trading down slightly and Occidental’s shares dropping more than 7% Thursday after it was announced.

OxyChem makes chlorine for water treatment, vinyl chloride for plastics and calcium chloride that’s used to treat icy roads along with an assortment of other chemicals. It will fit nicely alongside Lubrizol, which Buffett bought in 2011 for $9 billion, but Berkshire typically doesn’t consolidate the operations of the companies it buys.

RICHARD DREW

ASSOCIATED

tastes a beverage in September at the

Gatorade, Cheetos among Pepsi products getting a natural makeover

BY DEE-ANN DURBIN and TED SHAFFREY Associated Press

VALHALLA, N.Y Pepsi has a new challenge: keeping products like Gatorade and Cheetos vivid and colorful without the artificial dyes that U.S. consumers are increasingly rejecting.

PepsiCo, which also makes Doritos, Cap’n Crunch cereal, Funyuns and Mountain Dew, announced in April that it would accelerate a planned shift to using natural colors in its foods and beverages. Around 40% of its U.S. products now contain synthetic dyes, according to the company

But just as it took decades for artificial colors to seep into PepsiCo’s products, removing them is likely to be a multiyear process. The company said it’s still finding new ingredients, testing consumers’ responses and waiting for the U.S Food and Drug Administration to approve natural alternatives. PepsiCo hasn’t committed to meeting the Trump administration’s goal of phasing out petroleumbased synthetic dyes by the end of 2026.

“We’re not going to launch a product that the consumer’s not going to enjoy,” said Chris Coleman, PepsiCo’s senior director for food research and development in North America.

“We need to make sure the product is right.

Coleman said it can take two or three years to shift a product from an artificial color to a natural one. PepsiCo has to identify a natural ingredient that will have a stable shelf life and not change a product’s flavor Then it must ensure the availability of a safe and adequate supply The company tests prototypes with trained experts and panels of consumers, then makes sure the new formula won’t snag its manufacturing process. It also has to design new packaging.

Tostitos and Lay’s will be the first PepsiCo brands to make the shift, with naturally dyed tortilla and potato chips expected on store shelves later this year and naturally dyed dips due to be on sale early next year Most of the chips, dips and salsas in the two lines already are naturally colored, but there were some exceptions.

The reddish-brown tint of Tostitos Salsa Verde, for example, came from four synthetic colors: Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40 and Blue 1. Coleman said the company is switching to carob powder which gives the chips a similar color, but needed to tweak the recipe to ensure the addition of the cocoa alternative wouldn’t affect the taste.

In its Frito-Lay food labs and test kitchens in Plano, Texas, PepsiCo is experimenting with ingredients like paprika and turmeric to

mimic the bright reds and oranges in products like Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, Coleman said.

The company is looking at purple sweet potatoes and various types of carrots to color drinks like Mountain Dew and Cherry 7UP, according to Damien Browne, the vice president of research and development for PepsiCo’s beverage division based in Valhalla, New York.

When the Pepsi-Cola Company was founded in 1902, the absence of artificial dyes was a point of pride. The company marketed Pepsi as “The Original Pure Food Drink” to differentiate the cola from rivals that used lead, arsenic and other toxins as food colorants before the U.S. banned them in 1906. But synthetic dyes eventually won over food companies. They were vibrant, consistent and cheaper than natural colors. They are also rigorously tested by the FDA.

Still, PepsiCo said it started seeing a small segment of shoppers asking for products without artificial colors or flavors more than two decades ago.

“We’re looking for those little signals that will become humongous in the future,” Amanda Grzeda, PepsiCo’s senior director of global sensory and consumer experience, said of the company’s close attention to consumer preferences.

FDA OKs another generic abortion pill, prompting outrage

BY MATTHEW PERRONE Associated Press

WASHINGTON Federal officials have approved another generic version of the abortion pill mifepristone, a regulatory formality that quickly triggered pushback from anti-abortion groups and politicians aligned with the Trump administration.

Drugmaker Evita Solutions announced on its website that the Food and Drug Administration signed off on its low-cost form of the pill, which is approved to end pregnancies through 10 weeks.

Students for Life Action, which opposes abortion, in a statement

Thursday called the approval “a stain on the Trump presidency and another sign that the deep state at the FDA must go.”

Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri also criticized the move in a post on X, stating: “I have lost confidence in the leadership at FDA.”

President Donald Trump’s top health officials, including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., face growing pressure from abortion opponents to reevaluate mifepristone, which was approved 25 years ago and has repeatedly been deemed safe and effective by FDA scientists. In a letter to Republican attorneys general last month, Kennedy

and FDA Commissioner Dr Marty Makary pledged to conduct a full review of the drug’s safety

The FDA approved the original version of mifepristone in 2000 and gradually eased access over time. That included approving the first generic pill, from drugmaker GenBioPro, in 2019. In 2021, the FDA under Democratic President Joe Biden permitted online prescribing and mail-order delivery of the drug, greatly expanding access. Abortion opponents have been fighting the change ever since.

Approval of generic drugs is typically a rote process at the FDA, with multiple copycat versions

usually approved after the patent on the original drug expires. The FDA typically approves such applications within 10 months. But filing documents posted to the FDA’s website show that Evita Solutions filed its application to market mifepristone four years ago.

Approval of a second generic is unlikely to affect access to the pill, which is typically taken with another drug, misoprostol. The combination accounts for roughly two-thirds of all U.S. abortions. Mifepristone dilates the cervix and blocks the hormone progesterone while misoprostol causes the uterus to cramp and contract.

Manateespotted in lake

Officialssay it’s notuncommon this time of year

BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN Staff writer

While Chris Hebert typically sees all kinds of creatures —porpoises, bobcats and raccoons to nameafew —inand around Big Lake while out fishing, he didn’t expect to see amanatee.

About 6p.m. Friday,Hebert, of Lake Charles, was fishing in Big Lake, also known as Calcasieu Lake, by Cameron, when he saw amanatee come up near his boat.

“I didn’teven think we had them here,” Hebertsaid

“You see asign somewhere, and you think it’skind of a joke, but Inever thought I’d ever see one, not in Louisiana, that’sfor sure. Iwas just standingonmyboat and looked down, and there’s a manatee.”

After spotting the manatee, Hebert took to Facebook and posted pictures of the animal in severaldifferent groups.

Hebert said alot of the people who commented also didn’tknow manatees came to Louisiana, but afew commented that theyhad seen one in the area before.

Manatees being spotted in Louisianabrackishwatersis not “uncommon,” according to Audubon Nature Institute Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding and Rehabilitation Coordinator Gabriella Harlament, who saw the post in aFacebook group.

“Wedoexpect them in the summer to make their way, kind of all theway over here; they’ll go as far as Texas,” Harlament said. “So, in the warmer months, when the water temperature is feeling good, they leave Florida, they go searching out for vegetation to eat.”

While therehavebeen some sightings of manatees in Lake Pontchartrain this summer,Harlament said

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was compromised. Agency staffers are analyzing the outage “to determine what, if any,information was involved in the incident,” the statement said.

ABoard of Regents spokesperson said he could not answer follow-up questions. Thetiming of thestate-

this is the first one reported in thewestern side of the statethis year

However,Harlament said there currently isn’ta lotof information on the movement of manatees in Louisiana.

“That’s why we’reencouraging people to call and report sightings to us,” Harlament said. “It doesn’tmean that there’sanything wrong with the animal or that we’re going to do anything with that animal. Unless,let’s say that animal was hit by aboat or isacting odd, then we’ll go outand we’ll investigate.”

By the middle to end of November,manatees are expected to head back to the natural springs in Florida as winter hitsbecausethey need to beinwaters above 68 degrees since they don’t have blubber to keep them warm, accordingtoHarlament.

“Wereallyneed reports of theseguys (during the winter) because if they’re still in the area,that’snot normal, and chances are we will havetogoand make a rescuefor them,” Harlament said. “For prolonged exposure, they start having

ment alsoraisedquestions.

LOSFAbegan experiencing technical difficulties at least three days earlier, according to aMonday morning Facebook post. And for severaldays, theagency’s website has said that staffers “are unabletoanswer phone calls, emails, or assist customersatthis time.” Some families have been alarmed bythe extended outage.

KaynePierce,who put money in Louisiana’s

skin issues. They will become anorexic. It impairs their immune system,and eventually it will kill them.”

The reporting throughout the year allows thescientists to begin tracking the manatees through sightings basedonthe differentscars they have.

“Let’ssay we geta report at theend of November in Louisiana, we communicate that out with our partners in the northern Gulf (and) maybe that animal spotted in Alabama three weekslater,” Harlamentsaid.“Then we knowthat animal is moving in theright direction or likewise, if the animal goes the opposite way to Texas, that becomes abigger problem.” If amanatee is seen in Louisiana or Texas in the winter,organizations work together to rehabilitate and relocate the animals, accordingtoHarlament.

Thosewho spotamanatee or anyother marinemammal or sea turtle, alive or dead,are asked to report it to theAudubon Aquarium Rescue by calling their 24hour hotlineat(877) 9425343.

STARTprogram to help pay for his children’scollege costs, said he hasn’t been able to reach anyone at LOSFAoraccess theSTART websitefor severaldays

“Myconcern is that there was acyberattack or something like that,”hesaid.

“Forittohavebeen three days without any updates is very concerning.”

EmailPatrick Wall at patrick.wall@ theadvocate.com.

Alexander,Allyce

St.Francis de SalesCathedral,500 Goode St Houma, LAat 10am.

Bailey, Clarence

St.Gabriel Catholic Church,3625 Highway 75 St.Gabriel,LAat10:30am.

Bradley, Jimmy Trinity Lutheran Church,15160 S. Harrells Ferry Rd BatonRouge,LAat 11:30am.

EvansJr.,Clyde

SealeFuneral Home,1720 S. Range Avenue in Denham Springs,at7 p.m

Gatz,Leslie

St.Jude theApostle Catholic Church 9150 HighlandRoadat11am. HarrisJr.,Samuel Trinity EpiscopalChurch,3552 MorningGloryAvenue,at10a.m

LambertJr.,Louis St Anne's Catholic Church,7348 Main St,Sorrento, LAat 11am

Lewis, Mary St.IsidoreCatholic Church,5657 Thomas Rd,Baton Rouge,LAat11am. LewisSr.,Dennis Winnfield FuneralHomeat11am. Moore, Catherine St.Benedictthe Moor Catholic Church at 10am.

Naquin, Gloria St.John theEvangelistCatholic Church,Plaquemineat11am. Robertson, Mollie Wilson-Woodale FuneralHome, 1553 Wooddale Blvd BatonRouge,LAat 11am

Obituaries

Anderson, Cynthia Howard 'Mama'

PastorCynthiaHoward Andersonentered into eternal rest on September 23, 2025 at theage 74. She wasthe Pastor of Highest Praise Family Worship Center of BatonRouge, Louisiana. Survived by her husband, Hardy Anderson, Jr.Daughters, Keesha Anderson-Thomas (Felton) and K'MeshaL.Anderson, twogranddaughters and one grandson. Visitation, Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 12pmuntil religious services at 1pm. Halls CelebrationCenter 9348 Scenic

Cross, Quencia Marvelous'Can'

QuenciaMarvelous Can” Crossdepartedthis lifeonMonday, September 22, 2025, at ThibodauxRe‐gionalMedical Center in Thibodaux,LA. Shewas 35, a native of Houma, LA and residentofThibodaux,LA. VisitationonSaturday, Oc‐tober 4, 2025, at Williams & SouthallFuneralHome, Thibodaux,LA, from 9:00amtoreligious ser‐vices at 11:00am.Inter‐mentprivate.Arrange‐ments by Williams & SouthallFuneralHome, 1204 ClevelandSt.,Thibo‐daux, LA 70301. (985) 4472513. To sign guestbook or offercondolences,visit our website at www.william sandsouthallfuneralhome com.

2Timothy4:7 Edwin Alvin "Butch" Jewell,Jr., abeloved father,grandfather,brother uncle, andfriend, entered into eternalrest on October1,2025, at the age of 77. Born on February 9, 1948, in NewRoads, Louisiana, Butch made hishome in Baker, Louisiana. After proudlyserving in the Louisiana National Guard, he established Natural ConceptBarbershop, wherefor morethan50 years he faithfully served hiscommunity. Knownfor hisdevotion, discipline, andtireless work ethic, Butchbuilt far more than a business—he created a gathering place whereloyal customers became lifelong friends. Aman of deep faith, Butchfound joy in thesimple treasures of life: restoringvintagecars, listeningtoclassiccountry music, and fillingevery room with laughter through hissharp witand unforgettable jokes. His humor, kindness, and steady presence left an enduringmark on everyone blessed to know him. Butchispreceded in death by hisparents, Edwin Alvin Jewell,Sr. andAgnesRobillardJewell; hissister,PatriciaJewellSanchez; brothers-in-law Nelton Vosburgand Ernest "EJ" Falcon,Jr.; andnephews Craig Falcon and Chad Vosburg. He is survivedby hissister,Gerry Jewell Vosburg; brother-in-law, Louis Sanchez;his former spouse, Brenda Taillon, with whom he shared three belovedchildren—Brad Jewell (Christy),Laurie Jewell, andChris Jewell;and his cherished grandchildren, GraceJewell, Noah Jewell, Collin Jewell,Kohlby Clements,and Chloe Jewell. He also leaves behind numerousnieces, nephews, extendedfamily members, anddear friends whowill carryhis memory forward

Thefamilyextends heartfelt gratitude to Ms. VerlyYoung Polk, herfamily, andthe compassionate

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to tell us when something isn’tright, we can respond faster,bemore transparent and ensure our parks stay safe, clean and enjoyable for everyone,” Janet Simmons,interim BREC superintendent, said in the news release.

The public can report an issueata BREC parkbyany of thefollowingmethods: n Call or text (225) 3102732 n Email rapid@brec.org.

n Go online to rapid.brec. org n Download the BREC Rapid Response appfor iPhone and Android cellphones.

Email EllynCouvillion at ecouvillion@theadvocate. com.

staff of Our House for Respite. Avery special thank you is given to his nieceGinger Tate, her husband Brian,and their family for their unwavering love, devoted care, and tireless support throughout Butch's journey. Visitation and aMass of Christian Burialwillbeheld at St. Mary's CatholicChurch inNew Roads on Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 8:30 am until Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 am, with interment to follow at False River Memorial Park Cemetery.Pallbearers will be Collin Jewell, Kohlby Clements, Noah Jewell, Jeff Vosburg, Ken Vosburg, TerryFalcon, TazTate,and Brian David. Honorary pallbearers willbeBrian Tate, Blaine Falcon, Gary David and Jett Bourgeois.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Butch's memory to the Alzheimer's Association.

Christine Williams Johnson, 55, anative and resident of Gonzales, La passed away on September 26, 2025, at East Jefferson General Hospital. Visitation will be held on Saturday,October 4th, 2025, from9am to 11 am at New Life Christian Fellowship, 39215 LA-929, Prairieville, LA 70769. Services will begin at 11ambyPastor Kelvin Jackson. She is survived by her husband Don Johnson, son Robert Williams III, daughter Courtney Williams, stepdaughter Angela Johnson, her grandkids, 6sisters and 2brothers. Proceeded in death by her mother, father, stepson, 6brothers and 4sisters.

David C. Lacappassed away on September 24, 2025 at the age of 79. Visitation will be held at Rabenhorst East on Sunday, October 5, 2025 from 3:00 pm until 7:00pm. Graveside services will be held privately. Mr. Lacap was an active member of Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church of Christ). He worked for years at URS and more recently at Fox-Nesbit. He is survived by his wife, Leila Lacap; daughter, Marieben Sinesi and son in law, John Sinesi; son, Kirby Lacap and grandchildren, Emilie Jean Sinesi and Nicholas John Sinesi. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Emilie R. Lacap and son, David Randall Lacap. Rabenhorst Funeral Home

East is in charge of arrangements.

Lewis Sr., Dennis Herman

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Mr. DennisHerman Lewis, Sr. who departed this earthly lifeonthe 21stofSeptember,inthe year of our Lord 2025, at the distinguished ageof 79. Apublicviewing shall be held in his honoronFriday, the 3rd of October from 9:00 AM to 11:00AM atWinnfield Funeral Home. The celebrationoflifeservices shall follow at 11:00 AM. Hisearthly remains shall be laid to rest at at Louisiana National Cemetery. The distinguished & solemn arrangements have been entrustedtothe care of Winnfield Funeral Home of Baton Rouge &C D. Slaughter, FDIC

Nelson,Grace GraceNelsonentered into eternalrestatHospice of BatonRougeButterfly Wing on September29, 2025. Shewas an 80-year oldnativeofPlaquemine, Louisianaand aresidentof BatonRouge,Louisiana. ViewingatGreater Morn‐ingStarB.C.onSaturday, October4,2025 from 10:00 am until CelebrationofLife Serviceat11:00 am con‐ducted by Rev. Charles Burris,Jr. Survivors include herchildren, Tyrone Nelson andVeronicaNelsonBanks; brother, JamesNel‐son; otherrelatives and friends. Arrangements en‐trustedtoMiller &Daugh‐terMortuary

Leland Overton, 68 passedawaypeacefullyon Wednesday, September24, 2025. He wasbornonDe‐cember 24, 1957. Visitation on Friday,October 3, 2025 at St.Johnthe Baptist Church,31925 Lacroix Road,White Castle,La from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM Visitation will continue on Saturday October4,2025 from 12:00 pm to 1:00,with Services starting at 1:00 PM,atSt. John theBaptist Church

Rhodes Stalling,Delores

Our belovedDelores Nancy RhodesStalling passed away quietly on September 23, 2025, at the ageof92, at theBaton Rouge GeneralHospitalMid City, in theButterfly Unit.She was alifelong resident of BatonRouge, LA

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 11 a.m. with visitation from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at NewSunlight Baptist Church. Interment willimmediately follow theservice at Southern Memorial Gardens Cemetery.A receptionatthe McKinley High School Alumni Center willfollow theburial.Services entrusted to Desselle Funeral Home 263 Eddie RobinsonSr. Dr. Baton Rouge, LA

Jacqueline "Jackie" Robert, age 92, anative and long-time resident of Donaldsonville, LA,and current resident of Metairie, LA,passedaway peacefully on Sunday, September 21, 2025. Jackie was alovingwife,mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend and neighbor. She was astayhome Mom when her children were young and was involved in their schoolactivitiesand Mother's Club. She then workedinthe field of officemanagement, clerical workand bookkeeping for over30 years. Her passion was her family,helping and giving any way she could to care for her husband,children, grandchildrenand greatgrandchildren. She loved helping her working children with theirhousework, laundry, babysittingand picking up thelittleones from school. She also shared in thecare of her own infirm mother for many years. She loved family gatheringswithher and Red's siblings and their families.She was a greatcookand hostess and lovedholidaysand all thepreparations forthem. It was so important to her to keep in touch with extendedfamily,attending weddings, parties and reunions. She stayed in touch by visitingwhen able,and then when she couldnolongerget out, phone calls many, many phone calls to friendsand family,always thinking of others, she wanted to stay connected. She and Red loveddancing, vacationing with friends, and many tripstothe casinos. She was so well liked by everyone who knew her and deeply lovedbyher family She leavesbehindtocherish her memory her four children, Susan Robert Freeze, Bruce Robert,Marcia Robert Briseno (Roy) and Gwen Robert; ten grandchildren, seven great

-grandchildren andnumerous nieces, nephews and extended family.She is preceded in death by her lovinghusband of seventy one years, Irby"Red" Robert;parents Mike and Lucy Belle MessinaMilano; four siblings, Lucy Belle Sotile, Mary "Teeda" Civello,Michel Mike "Tex"Milano and Beverly Leblanc; twosons-in-law, Steve Modica and Red Freeze and onedaughter-in-law Claire Becnel Robert.The family would liketothank thestaffofHarmony Hospice, Heart of Hospice, Metairie Healthcare Center and themany Donaldsonville in-homecaregivers wholoved and cared forMrs. Jackie throughout her times of need. Avisitation willbe held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at St.Francis of Assisi CatholicChurch in Donaldsonville, LA,from 10am until Mass of Christian Burial at 12pm. Conducting the servicewillFr. Cleo Milano.Interment to follow in the church mausoleum.

JoeWalterSaxton, Sr went to be with hisLord andSavioronSeptember 30, 2025. Joewas born in YazooCounty, Mississippi on February 24,1932. He wasprecededindeath by hisparents Lawrence An‐drew Saxton andLula Harper Saxton,three older brothers,two oldersisters twoyounger brothers,and hismiddleson Jeffery Harold Saxton.In1955 He metKathrineLollarand shebecamehis life long friend andwife. They had5 children together.Joe W. Saxton,Jr(Buddy)( Karen Lofton), JefferyHaroldSax‐ton(KarenDavis), Sonya KaySaxton, Tamora Saxton Pope (BurtonPope) Mitchell Saxton (Lisa Raynor-Keck).Joe leaves behind alegacyofa loving

wife of 68 years, 4children andspouses,11grandchil‐dren andspouses,32great grandchildren, onegreatgreatgrandchild, as well asa myriad of extended familyand friends. Visita‐tion will be held at Charlet FuneralhomeinZachary, LouisianaonSaturday, Oc‐tober4,2025 from 10-12. Theservice will immedi‐atelyfollow. Agraveside servicewillbeheldatAza‐leaCemeteryinZachary Louisianafollowing the service. Dr.EddieWren from FirstBaptist of Zacharywillperform the service.

Staples,Jane Laycock

JaneLaycock Staples, age 98, alifelongresident of Baton Rouge,passed away on Tuesday, September30, 2025. Agraduate of LSUand an 85-year memberofChi Omega, shewas adevoted homemaker, master seamstress, genealogy enthusiast,and avidreader. Shewas precededindeathbyher husband, JohnBatson Staples Jr.; son,David R. Staples; herparents;and two sisters,Ann LaycockWise andBerta LaycockMayer Sheissurvivedbyher sons, JohnBowman (Cindy)Staples and Douglas Clark (Debbie)Staples;three grandchildren; fivegreat-grandchildren; andextendedfamily. Visitation will be held Friday, October 3, 2025, from 4-8 PM at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East.For thefull obituary, please visit www.rabenhorsteast.com. In lieu of flowers, donationsmay be madetoHospice of Baton Rouge.

CliftonL.Wrightde‐parted this life on Thurs‐day, September25, 2025, at hisresidence in Gray,LA. He was63, anativeofThi‐bodaux,LA. Visitation on Friday,October 3, 2025, at Williams &SouthallFuneral Home from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.Religious services on Saturday,October 4, 2025, MosesBaptist Church at 12:00pm.Interment in thechurch cemetery Arrangements by Williams &SouthallFuneralHome, 1204 ClevelandSt, Thibo‐daux,LA70301. (985) 4472513. To sign theguest book or offercondolences visitour websiteatwww williamsandsouthallfune ralhome.com.

OPINION

Do somethingpatriotic andbecomeapollworker

Aug. 12 was National Poll Worker Recruitment Day,and it served as areminder that we’re sounding an urgent call to the people of Louisiana: We need you. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission established this advocacy day in 2020 to spotlight asimple truth: Serving as apoll worker is the single most impactful, nonpartisan way thatany individual person can engage in America’selections. Right now, hundreds of counties andparishes across the country are looking to fill poll worker positionsand Louisiana is no exception. The reasons are plain. The pool of experienced poll workers is aging,recruitment pipelines have thinned and disturbing harassment and threats aimed at election officials have pushed some public servants out of the booth Thatleaveslocal election administrators actively workingto staff polling places, train workers and protect the integrity of every vote.

Becoming acertified com-

missioner in Louisiana is easier than many think. Youcan register through your local Clerk of Court’s Office or theLouisianaSecretary of State’swebsite. It pays well, fitsmany schedules and, most importantly, offers an opportunity to serve something bigger than ourselves Serviceisalanguage we both knowwell.Asfounder of Vet the Vote andamilitary spouse, I’ve seen how military families translate commitment into action every day At We the Veterans and Military Families, we launched Military250 in New Orleans this February atSuperBowl LIX to markthe 250thanniversaries of the U.S.Army, Navy and Marine Corps. That launch wasn’tjust a ceremony,it was acall to action. Patriotismismore than aconcept; it’sapractice rooted in our daily actions.

This year, Military250 is recognizing 250veteran and military familyservice organizations, 250 leaders continuing their service

and 250 acts of service. The campaign reminds us that the journey to our nation’s250th anniversary is atime to honor thepast, reflect on our shared values and decide how we will carry forward this legacy of service. Military250 challenges every American:How will you serve?

For someveterans and military families, that service means stepping intolocal civic leadership or mentoring through aservice organization.

For others, it is volunteering at aschool, joining aneighborhood association or serving as apoll

Congress must support themedical research that changedmy son’slife

When my son was only 4monthsold, he was diagnosed with epilepsy.His first seizure lasted 45 minutes andleft ourfamily absolutelyterrified

But from that moment on, we were focused on finding the best way to help him survive. Medication after medication failed to control his seizures, and we were constantly worried about his safety. It was heartbreaking to watch the negative impacts epilepsy had on his quality of life.

Voting clerk Will Clancy opens the curtainfor Charlotte, 4, to join her mother,Megan Gibbens, in the voting booth.

STAFFFILE PHOTO

worker.These everyday acts of patriotic participation transform communities by fostering connection and reinforcing the shared values that bind us. We returned to New Orleans in August to link the momentum of Military250 with National Poll Worker Recruitment Day. We want to spotlight poll workasa patriotic act —accessible, meaningful and vital.

Certified commissioners ensure local elections run smoothly and correctly; they welcomevoters, verify registrations and protect theprocess from error and dis-

ruption. Their workupholds the very freedoms Military250 seeks to honor President Ronald Reagan warned that “freedom is afragile thing and it’snever morethan one generation away from extinction.” ArmyAir Corps and Air Force General Jimmy Doolittle captured the power of volunteerism when he said, “There’s nothing stronger than the heart of avolunteer.” If you’re looking foraway to celebrate America that goes beyond waving aflag on aholiday,consider this your invitation.

Louisiana needs poll workers. Whether you’re acollege student, retiree, active-duty spouse or someone seeking ameaningful waytogive back, this is how you can help. Visit your local Clerk of Court’s Office or the Louisiana Secretary of State’swebsite to learn how to register

Ellen Gustafsonisa Navy spouseand theco-founder and executive director of We the Veterans and Military Families. Donald Palmer serves as chairmanofthe U.S. Election AssistanceCommission.

Protectingkidsfrom online harm should be priority forCongress

During our search for an effective treatment, Ilearned thatmany people with epilepsy never reach complete seizure control. Thestatistics were troubling, but we continuedto search for answers.

Then came two new medications neitherofwhich wereeven approved when he was first diagnosed.Thanks to the groundbreaking research that made them possible, my son’sseizures arenow under control.

Many people don’tknow this,but epilepsy is more than just seizures, and while my son still faces many challenges of living with epilepsy,heisthriving. Being seizure-free allows him to spend time with his family andfriends, doing things he loves. He has also made significant progress in his education This is alife we couldonlyhave hoped for before these innovations.

But here’sthe reality: Stories like mine don’thappen withoutstrongfederal investment in medical research. The National Institutes of Healthhelps fund the work that turns promising ideas into lifesaving treatments. In fact, NIH-funded research wasthe basis for virtually every oneofthe 356 new drugs approved by theFDA between 2010 to 2019 Potential cuts to the NIH in the fiscal year 2026 budget would put that progress in danger,stalling thevery breakthroughs thatallow kids like my son the chance for alife where theylearn and grow.Wecan’tlet that happen While we can’tpredict where thenext big medical discoverywill comefrom, we can make sure researchers have the resources to find it throughfunds

reliably distributed by theNIH.When funding is reliable, research institutions can pursue bold ideas and translate them into new therapies more efficiently.That means my son andother people with epilepsy may benefit from treatmentswehaven’teven imagined yet,treatments that could mean others currently living with uncontrolled seizures could live ahealthier life. From new treatmentsfor epilepsy to advances in cancer care and Alzheimer’s prevention,NIH funding fuels thepipeline of hope for patients.

Here in Louisiana, that investment doesn’tjust help patients; it also supportsthe people and places around them.In2024, NIH awards brought in more than $211 million to our state. That meansscientists at places like LSUcould keep working on promising projects. It means jobsfor residents, opportunities for students and partnerships that strengthen our hospitals andclinics. Every dollar spent on NIH research multiplies our scientific knowledge, moves forward innovation and saves lives. When we invest in research, we’re investing in our neighbors.

CuttingNIH funding would force research institutions to scale back or abandon critical projects.Itwould slow the development of treatments and cures before they even get off the ground and it would shrink the network of people dedicated to helping patients live longer,healthier lives. My son’s life today is living proof of what’spossible when we support research. We can’t afford to let progress stall and let down future generations.

As Congress works to reach adeal on thefiscal year 2026 appropriations, Iurgelawmakers to ensure strong, steady growth in NIH funding. Small discoveries today lead to life-changing breakthroughs tomorrow that give children like mine abrighter,healthier future.

Amanda

Mitchellisthe executive director of Epilepsy Alliance Louisiana.

Millions of children are harmed every year by social media products: addicted, bullied, traumatized, trappedinto sexual encounters in virtual reality, and even kidnapped.

In September,two former researchers from Meta, the parentof Facebook andInstagram,testified before aSenate committee about thecompany’scynical lack of concern for child safety.After previous whistleblower reports, Meta could have instituted reformstoprioritize child safety; instead, they directed their lawyers to scrub all future research so that there would never again be apaper trail.

and manipulation of young lives. If such harmshappened foralack of aseat belt, we would makechildren buckle up. Things need to change and, thankfully,there is away to change them.

Last year,the Senate passed the Kids Online Safety Act with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 91-3. KOSA would finally require Big Tech to take reasonable steps to design safer products and prevent foreseeable design-based harms. It would force them to give kids safer options and parents basic tools to check in and report identified harms. We had hoped the House would pass this legislation last year,too, but it still hasn’tvoted on it.

These former employees have madeit clear: Meta’stop priority is profits, with safetyadistant afterthought at best. Meta said “no” to stepsitknew wouldincrease child safety,because it knew they also would reduce platform engagement. Their only concern is that they don’t get caught.

Both political parties, after failing to act for years, now seem determined to go after Big Tech because of the testimony of whistleblowers like these, and because of arising chorus of parents whohave lost children to suicide and accidental deaths directly linked to social mediaproducts.

Sadly,Iampart of that chorus. Inever thought Iwould be. My wife Brandy and Ipresided over alarge and happy brood of children, including our youngest, Englyn, atypical 14-year-old wrapped up in theworld of her friends, all following one another on Snapchat and Instagram. We had no inkling that she was unhappy or depressed and yet,five years ago, we found her hanging in her bedroom.

We discovered later that Instagram was pushing videos normalizing andpromoting self-harm and hanging. Ourchild copied one in particular.Nearly ayear and ahalf after Englyn’sdeath, Instagram was pushing the same video via multiple accounts, with more than 1,500 views.

Let’sbeclear.Meta collects thousands of datapoints on each user and claims to care about the safety of teens. How could this dangerous video be sent to my daughter, repeatedly reported toMeta (including by me) andthen remain as part of its online recommendations? That’s too much control

TwoLouisianans can do the right thing and ensure that it does: Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Republican Majority Leader Steve Scalise are the ones whoset the House agenda. We know Johnson and Scalise are under enormous pressure from Big Tech. These platforms spend millions on lobbyists every year.They wanttomakeKOSA go away —orwater it downtoprotect their own bottom line.

Meta has also invested heavily in Louisiana, including constructing a$10 billion data center in Richland Parish. There may be economic reasons whyour politicians did somersaults to get Meta to build here —even if the data center will produce a relatively small number of permanent jobs —but that does not mean they owe perpetual obedience to Big Tech.

September marked the fifth anniversary of Englyn’sdeath. It never gets easier, and it will never be OK.But Ialso am a religious man,and every religion teaches us to protect our children. Itrust in God’s promise that we will be with Englyn again someday,and until then, my purpose is to fight forher and every other child.

Meta knowsthat its products and design decisions are setting these tragedies in motion. We need and deserve help protecting our children from the poison these companies are putting in their schools and their bedrooms. Please, congressmen: Stand with us.

Toney Roberts lives in NewIberia.

COMMENTARY

ISSUE OF THE WEEK ECONOMIC POLICy

The Trump administration came into office promising to remakethe economy in ways that benefit businesses and American workers. Executiveorders have aimed at reducing regulations,and recently, President Donald Trump has changed the rules to make bringing in foreign workersonH-1B visasless attractivetoemployers.How will the administration’spolicies affectthe broader economy? Here aretwo perspectives

Trumpisright that tech visas araw deal forU.S.workers

The time has come to praise Donald Trump. Let’ssavor the moment. The president is right to challenge the tech worker visa known as H-1B. This is atemporary visa thatlets Americancompanieshire skilled foreign workersin“specialty occupations.”

The visa’sfans offer amirror image,withatwist,ofthe popular argument that low-skilled immigrants do jobs Americans won’t do. They say that the H-1B program providesworkers forjobs that Americans can’t do Consider,however,the employers’ extra incentive of paying holders of the H-1B visas less than the “prevailingwage” forAmericans with similar skills. They’re not allowed to,but they often do.

therecipients are Indians. That reflects agrowing industry dedicated to flooding the H-1B lottery with Indian applicants.

Tata Consultancy,anIndian tech services firm, lastyear captured 5,500 H-1B visas outofthe annual quotaof85,000.

Can-do spirit needsliberation from can’t-do regulation

4.7 years.

Froma Harrop

Some have laid off their American employees after forcing them to train their cheaper H-1B replacements. The maneuver is cleverlyspunas“knowledge transfer.” Companies accused of such practices include Disney andSouthern California Edison.

Critics further note that thevisa holders frequently don’tcome withskills so fabulous that there aren’t Americans willingand able to do the job

Another concern is the currently weak demand for tech workers in this country Since 2024,more than 240,000 tech workershavebeenlaid off. Americanswith thesecredentials are finding it harder to get these positions,and therise of artificial intelligence is likely to reduce opportunities even further

An H-1B visa is valid for uptothree yearsbut renewable for atotal of six years. The job can turn permanentifthe worker has agreen card applicationin the works. Thus, the visa eases one’sway to U.S. citizenship withoutgoingthrough the usual immigration process.

The program’sboosterscontend that the visa brings in highly skilled workers from all over the world who may stay and build the economy.That’sacompelling argument.

But the mechanics behind disbursing these visas do not speak of alevel playing field across the globe. About 70%of

“The Path to the American Dream Is Narrowing for Indian Tech Workers.” So reads aWall StreetJournal headline about expected changes in theH-1B visa program.

Why must theIndian Dream be to movetoAmerica? We understand the allure of Silicon America and the vast riches some tech entrepreneurs have harvested there. Several ofthe billionaires were Indian immigrants.

But thereisa considerable and growingtech industry in India that also needs workers with valuable tech skills. Those with invaluable skills would still be able to work in America under the proposed changes. The administration’splan isn’ttoend theprogram but to charge $100,000 for every H-1B application. The biggestusers of these visas are Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Apple and Meta. These companies are loaded. Given what top tech talent gets paid these days, afee of $100,000 per applicant would seem a mere rounding error The fee would weed out the less-impressive applicantsand reduce thefinancial incentive to recruit cheap talent abroad. SomeSiliconValley CEOs see wisdom in this approach.Posting on X, Netflix cofounder Reed Hastings called it “a great solution.”

By reducing competition, thefee would enhance thechances of candidates with truly special skills —and lessen theneed for alottery

Even if you buy theargument that Americanslack the skills that foreigners bearing H-1B visas offer,there’sanalternative. Sometimes theway to find Americanswho can do thejobs they allegedly can’t do is to train Americans to do them.

FromaHarrop is on X@FromaHarrop. She can be reached at fharrop@gmail. com

Philip K. Howard, agraduate of Taft prep school, Yale and the University of Virginia School of Law, says he never wore“white bucks.” This 1950s campus fashion waned before he matriculated. Those buckskin shoes were popular among young blades destined to become“whiteshoe lawyers” at prestigious “whiteshoe law firms,” such as Covington & Burling, where Howard, 76, is senior counsel.

He also is agenteel inveigher against the coagulation of American society,which is saturated with law. In his new book “Saving Can-Do: How to Revive the Spirit of America,” he argues thatlaw’sproper role is preventingtransgressions by authorities, not micromanaging choices so minutely that red tape extinguishes individual responsibilityand thesocial trust thatindividualism engenders. What has been called the “fetishization of process” —process as an end in itself costsmoney and stymies progress. Howard writes, “Doctors and nurses spend almost half their day doing deskwork”tocomply withregulations.

K-12schoolsmicromanaged by multihundred-page collective bargaining agreements withteachers unions “more closely resemble penalinstitutions” than centersfor nurturing,Howard writes. “The disempowermentofschool leaders” by unionrulesinthe past 50 years “isthe main reason badschoolsget worse, andwhy mediocreschoolsrarely improve.”

New York State, pandering to 19thcentury immigrants, mandates instruction aboutthe Irishpotato famine (1845-1852). Some Florida school districts, preemptively fending off lawyers, require written permission before giving a pupil aBand-Aid.

Before Hurricane Katrina,aNew Orleans high school valedictorian could notgraduate because shefailedthe state proficiency test five times.Itshouldnot takeanatural calamitytofracture society’s stalecrust, opening fissures through whichgreen shoots of fresh thinking can sprout, as has happened in postKatrina NewOrleans.

Historian Henry Steele Commager (19021998) deplored the nation’s“almost lawless passion for lawmaking.” This has built what Howard calls a“monument to theprecautionary principle”: “The obsessivedrive to foreclose anything thatmightgowrong has left little room for the freedom to make things go right.”

Almost 150 millionwords of federal laws and regulations, almost all generated since the 1960s, have created a“dreary public culture” and “a societyriven with distrust.”

This “squeezes the life out of freedom.” And nothing gets done.

In 2021, the Bidenadministration allocated $7.5billion to build anational network of electric vehicle charging stations. Three years later,only 11 had been built. For the administration’sfailure to expand broadband service, blame legislation larded withDEI (diversity, equityand inclusion)requirements, climate change rules, price controls, union preferences, etc.

An act was passed to reduce the4.7 years’ average time to completeenvironmental impact statements for federal projects.Four years later,the average completion time was:

In arecent18-year period in Illinois, an annualaverageofonly twoout of 95,000 teachers wereterminated forpoor performance. Illinois public education is acalamity in need of acalamity:aKatrina.Otherwise, thetask of reviving union-dominated schoolsis, Howard says, akinto“putting fumesback into a bottle.”

Whenchoices by peopleinauthority are, in Howard’swords, “strained through a legalsieve,” we understand Alexis de Tocqueville’s warning from nearly200 years ago: Minuteregulations that stifle intuition, judgment andfreedom perpetuate “a drowsy regularity,” andthe statusquo Ourancestors began this nation as an errandintoaninhospitable wilderness, then walked to Oregon, without laws preempting theirjudgments in daily choices. Butthe nation’s spirit “has been collapsing over the past fifty years,” Howardwrites, as Americanshavebeen trained by too much law “to focusoncompliance.” So,they“tiptoe through theday looking over theirshoulders” andavoiding risks. For thenation’s long-term vitality, nothing is riskier.

Email Will at georgewill@washpost.com

| Friday, OctOber 3, 2025 1cN

Deal securesSaints’ future in N.O. —for now

Newlease ensuresNFL franchisewillremaininLouisiana through2035

The immediate future of theNew Orleans Saints is secure.

The Saints are staying where they belong —inNew Orleans —for at least another decade.

The new lease signed by Gov.Jeff Landry and Saints ownerGayle Benson on Thursday will ensure the Saints rep the fleur de listhrough 2035 and perhaps longer

The new accord is one of those rare winwins. The state reduced costsand secured

Skenes’ stellarseason deserves to be celebrated

Former LSUstandouthas been aforce in less than two full seasonsinthe majors

It was during the 2023 NCAA tournament that LSU coach Jay Johnson knew.Knew how good apitcher Paul Skenes would be once he got to the major leagues.

“During the postseason, he faced Kentucky in the super regionaland Tennessee in the College World Series, thesecond time that he faced those teams,” Johnson said this week. “Andhecompletely flipped on its head how he pitched them.

greater protections for taxpayers, while locking down thecity’sprized NFL franchise for another decade and (likely) landing another Super Bowl for thecity

TheSaints, meanwhile, maintain oneofthe most user-friendly leases in professional sports that allows them to remain competitivewith their big-market peers for theforeseeable future.

After months of intense and often con-

tentiousnegotiations, harmonyreigns.

For now

Beyond 2035, all bets are off. Nothing is certain, including who owns and operates theteam and where it plays.

The new deal has four five-year options that could extend the lease another two decades. Butthe Saintsown the right to execute the options, so theoretically they —oranew owner —could leave in 2035 or 2040 or 2045, etc.

Nothing the Saints have said or done sug-

gests they’d do so. Owner Gayle Benson and team president Dennis Lauscha are NewOrleans natives, as are manyofthe club’sother top executives. They’ve vowed to keep the team here foraslong as she owns the team and have invested hundreds of millions locally as ashow of their invested interests. Nevertheless, the reality of the situation is the 78-year-old Benson will be approaching 90 when the 10-year extension ends, and, according to the terms of her succession plan, the team will eventually have to

“I was like, ‘Man, this guy’s going to dominate in the major leagues.’ Like, there’s going to be no issueoffacing somebody three times in a season.”

Skenes has proven Johnson as right about that as he was right to get the 6-foot-6 fireballer totransfer to LSU from Air Force.

Skenes has been aforce in less than two full seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team that made him the No. 1overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft shortly after his MVP performance in theCollegeWorld Series ledthe Tigers to that year’s national title.

Afterrocketing throughthe minor leagues, Skenes went 10-3 witha 1.96 earned run average in 2024 andstunned thebaseball worldbystarting theAll-Star Game for the National League en route to beingnamed NL rookie of the year In 2025, Skenes was even more impressive. As the major league playoffs thunder on without Paul and the Pirates (71-91),his season deserves to be celebrated In his first full major leagueseason,the big right-hander posted a1.97 ERA, the first sub-2.00 ERA in the majors since 2022 (his ERA from 2024 doesn’t count because he wascalled up twomonthsinto the season). He set aPirates franchise recordwith 216 strikeouts in 187-2/3 innings pitched. His WHIP (walks and hitsper innings pitched) of 0.95 was fourth-best in themajors, and his opponents’batting average of .199 was sixth-best. On top of that, Skenes again was the National League’s starting pitcher in the All-Star Game. After piling up such aglitteringresume, Skenes pokedfun at himself for his ERA

ä See RABALAIS, page 3C

Pirates

RUNNERSUP

Saints ramp up rungamebygoing undercenter, changing scheme

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

The first New Orleans Saints touchdown last week against the Buffalo Bills was asign of things to come.

The Saints linedupundercenter with two tight ends to theleftoftheir formation. Rookie Moliki Matavaomotioned across theformation and performed akick-out block to theright after thesnap. The other tight end, Jack Stoll, followed him after thesnap, only to curl theblock back through the middle where the run wasintended togo. Everyoffensive lineman gothis hands on aplayer and turned him away from the play.Itwas up to Kendre Miller to do therest. Miller made defensive back Taron Johnson missinthe hole and got to the second level. He slipped out of an ankle tackle by safetyCole Bishopand busted through atackle attempt by corner Tre’Davious White, rumbling

into the end zone foran18-yard touchdown.

The play featured heavy personnel, misdirection, solid blocking acrossthe boardand some spectacularplaymaking in theopenfield— allelements of agood rushing offense. And, forthe mostpart, those were all things the Saints did frequently against Buffalo.

New Orleans used heavy personnel —with two or more tightends on the field —on12oftheir 34 rushing attempts. In 12 personnel (one running back and two tight ends), the Saints averaged 9.1 yards per carry,with six of their nine attempts gaining at least 5yards.

The Saintswere undercenter on 55.9% of their run plays, easily their highest rate of the season (previous high: 27.6%), apivot coach Kellen Moore said wasintentional in order to allow New Orleans to use cadence to its advantage.

ä See SAINTS, page 5C

Freshman OT Curneoff to strong startwithLSU

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

Kickoff was only minutes away when LSU’stop young offensive tackle learned that he’dbemaking his first career start on the road against an SEC defense. YetCariusCurne held his own.The fourstarfreshman allowed only one quarterback pressure,according to Pro Football Focus, in theNo. 13 Tigers’ loss to Ole Miss, even though he was thrown ontothe fieldatthe last minuteinplace of Weston Davis —the starting right tackle who suffered abroken nose and aconcussion in

pregamewarmups.

“(Curne) reminded me of Emery Jones as atrue freshman,”coach Brian Kelly said on Wednesday That’slofty praise from Kelly.AtLSU, Jones was athree-year starter and an AllSECtackle before he becameathird-round NFLDraft choice of theBaltimore Ravens. He joined theTigers as afour-star recruit andstarted 12 gamesasafreshman, blocking well enough to find himself on acouple true-freshmanAll-America teams by the end of the 2022 season.

“Ifyou remember Emery,” Kellysaid, “technically he was notvery sound, but he

was fighting for dear lifeand was really active. Had alot of hustle errors, but he’s hustling and playing physical.

“It’sjust hard to be atechnician at this point.” But Curne can still use his raw strength and size to his advantage. In his three appearances this season, PFF has charted only one hit, one hurry and twopressures for

2p.m.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

6p.m.W.Kentucky at Delaware CBSSN

6p.m. Charlotte at SouthFloridaESPN2

6:30 p.m. Columbia at Princeton ESPNU

9p.m. NewMexico at San Jose St.FS1

9:30 p.m. Colorado St. at San DiegoSt. CBSSN

9:

7p.m. Pittsburgh at DukeACCN

7p.m. Maryland at UCLABTN

9p.m. Indiana at Washington BTN

WOMEN’S COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL

6p.m. Kentucky at Ole Miss SECN

7p.m. Nebraska at Penn St. FOX GOLF

11 a.m.KornFerry:ComplianceGOLF

1p.m.PGA Tour Champions GOLF

3p.m. PGATour:Sanderson FarmsGOLF

6p.m. LPGA Tour:LOTTE GOLF

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

7p.m. Lutcher atVandebilt Cox4 NBA PRESESON

4:30 a.m. Melbourne vs.New Orleans NBATV

9p.m.PhoenixatL.A. LakersNBATV NHLPRESEASON

6p.m.Buffalo at Pittsburgh NHLN MEN’S SOCCER

2p.m.Fulham at AFC BournemouthUSA

5:45 p.m.New Zealand vs.Japan FS2 5:55 p.m.Egypt vs.Chile FS1 WNBA FINALS

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Texasbeginsawaystretch againstFlorida

BY MARK LONG AP sportswriter

GAINESVILLE, Fla. No. 9Texas

is about to find out what it’sreally like to play on the road in the Southeastern Conference.

The Longhorns travel to one of the league’smost daunting venues when they openSEC playatFlorida on Saturday.It’s the first of eight consecutive conference games for quarterback Arch Manning andCo., with the next four coming away from home.

“Everybodybetter buckle up,” coach Steve Sarkisiansaid.

“There are no gimmies.”

Texas(3-1) opened theseason with a14-7 loss at then-No. 3Ohio State, getting more than atasteof road hostilities. But playing four in arow away from home —the Longhorns are the only SEC team dealt that kind of slate in 2025— is sure to present new challenges and provide plenty of adversity

“It’sgoing to be aroad-warrior mentality,and we always talk about that,” Texassafety Michael Taaffe said. It begins with the Longhorns’ first visit to Gainesville since 1940. They wonthat one 26-0 but probably shouldn’texpect the returntrip to be as smooth.

Although the Gators (1-3, 0-1 SEC) have dropped threea row askid that has coach Billy Napier back on the proverbial hot seat —they played wellenoughdefensively to win all three. And they have ahistory of rattling quarter-

Bama

says

TexasdefensivebackJelani McDonald celebrates aturnoverondowns in thethird quarter of agameagainst SamHoustonState on Sept. 20 in Austin, Texas.

backs in the Swamp.

Texaswon all three of its SEC road games in 2024, its first yearin theleague, butthosecame against Vanderbilt andlongtime rivals Arkansasand TexasA&M. The Longhorns have four trueconference road games this season,including atrip to 12th-rankedGeorgia next month.

Florida is 15-7 at homeunder Napier but did win its last two against ranked teams, beating LSU andMississippidown the stretch last season

TheGatorsneedsophomore quarterback DJ Lagway to play better to improve their chances as 61/2-point home underdogs, according to BetMGM Sportsbook

Lagway,who missed most of the year while dealing with various injuries,has looked rusty in his return and less thancomfortable in the pocket.

“Everygame you got achip on your shoulder,” Lagway said. “Especiallyright now(with)how the world’s counting us out. So we all got achip on our shoulder to go out there and compete, let it loose and have fun.”

Cleanupneededfor Longhorns

Texas is averaging 81/2 penalties agame, which ranks among the worst in the nation and the SEC. Theflags proved particularly costly at Ohio State and have dogged the Longhorns on both

sides of the ball since.

Gators turn to Dallas

Florida receiver Dallas Wilson, a6-foot-3, 213-pound freshman and one of the team’stop recruits, is scheduledtomakehis collegiatedebut after missing amonth with aleft foot injury

TheTampa native caught 10 passesfor 195 yards and two touchdowns in the spring game and could provide alift foran offense that scored 16, 10 and 7pointsinconsecutive losses.

“He’sthe real deal,” Florida linebacker Myles Graham said. “He’s out there running and jumping like he was never hurt.”

Texaswaiting forpassrush

Preseason All-American Colin Simmons got his first solo sack of the season on the first playagainst SamHouston StateonSept.20, then didn’tget another.Simmons notcheda team-leading nine sacks as afreshman in 2024 but has been less effective though four games this season.

Texasranks tied for eighthin theSEC with 11 sacks.

RB depthcould be an issue

Florida will be withoutbackup running back Ja’Kobi Jackson, clearing apath forJadan Baugh to get more work. Texas likely will be without running back CJ Baxter(hamstring),who was listed as doubtful, and maybe co-starter Quintrevion Wisner (hamstring). Wisner was listed as questionable.

it’s abouthandlingsuccess vs.Vanderbilt

BY KENNINGTONLLOYD SMITH III

Associated Press

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. No. 10 Alabama surely wants some measure of revenge against Vanderbilt, even if players and coaches won’tacknowledge it

TheCrimson Tide host thesurprising and 16th-ranked Commodores on Saturday —and insist they won’tget blindsided again

Ayear ago, the Tide followed awin over fellow Southeastern Conference power Georgia with a 40-35 loss at Vanderbilt as threetouchdown favorites. Thatstunning setback played apart in keeping Alabama out of the College Football Playoff.

Coming off another victory against the Bulldogs, Vandy is up next again. How is Alabama (3-1, 1-0SEC) approaching this one?

“You’ve got to handle success and come back every single week in this league,” coachKalen DeBoer said. “Wedidn’thandlesuccess last yearwell.You can’targue that. Oursuccessthatwe had (against Georgia), none of it matters. None of it carries over Every game is its own game.”

Added Bamatight end Josh Cuevas: “We’re not tooworried about

last season. Last season’slast season. Just moving forward, taking the next step, this new year,just kind of keeping within theteam and doing what we’redoing and playing ourgame.”

Vanderbilt’ssituation is considerably different ayear later. The Commodores (5-0,1-0) may have been overlooked in 2024, but they sit nearthe topofthe SECstandings after the first month of the season.

Vandy is off to itsbest start since 2008, with each win coming by at least 20 points. Coach Clark Lea and quarterback Diego Pavia have led acampaign of a“New Vanderbilt” sincelast year,and now there’sevidenceofatangible shift.

“Last season was important for us in terms of getting some of those breakthrough moments to see, ‘Hey,this is something we can do,’”Lea said.“Ithink this season has been about the confidence to dominate, to have adominant mindsetwhenwetake thefield.”

Amarquee QB battle on tap?

Thegame features the two highest-rated passers in the SEC, with Pavia’s184.6pass efficiency rating topping the league just ahead of Ty Simpson’s173.1. Both rank in the top 15 nationally

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOByVASHAHUNT

Alabama linebacker yhonzae Pierre, left, celebrates asackwith linebacker Deontae Lawson during the second halfagainst Wisconsin on Sept.13inTuscaloosa, Ala.

Simpson is completing 82% of his passes over his last three games, with nine touchdowns and no interceptions. His11 TDs arethird in theSEC, and he haszero turnovers. On the other side, Pavia tied aVanderbilt school record with five TD passeslast Saturday and ran for another. His13TDpassesare tied for first in the SECand rank fifth nationally

Rungames should be key

An area to watch will be the run game. Vanderbilt gashed Alabama for166 yardsonthe ground last year andboasts oneofthe SEC’s best rushing attacksin2025. TheCommodores rank first in the league with 6.49 yardsacarry and18 rushingtouchdowns and are second with 1,117 yards rushing and 223.4 yards agameonthe ground.Defensively,Vanderbilt is allowing the third-fewest yardsrushing agame.

Brehm shares first-round lead in Dunhill Links debut ST.ANDREWS,Scotland Ryan

Brehm made his Dunhill Links Championshipdebut with a63 on the only course he didn’tplay in practice to share the lead. Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood and aRyder Cup quartet of stars played on fumes and held up quite nicely Thursday

The other surprise from the opening round was Dustin Johnson with a64atCarnoustie that left the former world No. 1just one shot outof the lead in his return to this tournament forthe first time in 13 years. Hatton and RobertMacIntyre at 66, and Fleetwood andMatt Fitzpatrick at 67, all received a rousing cheer at Carnoustie to celebrateEurope’sfifth road victoryinthe Ryder Cup.

AirForce-Navy game still

on despite shutdown

The AirForce-Navy football game will go on as planned in Annapolis, Maryland, on Saturday,but that doesn’tmean the athletic departments at the service academies are unaffected by thegovernment shutdown.

The Naval Academy Athletic Associationisa nonprofitthathas acted independently since1891, limiting the impact of government actions on Navy’sathletics.Scott Strasemeier, Navy’ssenior associate athletic director,said some coaches whoare civilians and are paid by the governmentare affected, though none are with the football program.

Air Force is feeling it as well. Emails to Troy Garnhart, the associate athletic director forcommunications, prompt an automated response saying he is “out of the office indefinitely due to the government shutdown.”

Gauff to faceAnisimova in China Open semifinal BEIJING Reigning champion Coco Gauff reached thesemifinalsofthe China Open forthe third straight year after beating hard-hitting Eva Lys6-3, 6-4 on Thursday

The second-seeded American was troubled on her serve and conceded seven break-point chances in Beijing. But Lys, aGerman player seekingher first career WTAtitle, could convertonly three of themand droppedher own servefive times against theFrench Open champion “She’satough opponent, she hit someincredible shots on the run,” said Gauff, who is seeking her 11th career title. “I was trying my best to stay aggressive.” Gauff next faces fellowAmerican Amanda Anisimova, theWimbledon andU.S.Openrunner-up.She ralliedtobeat sixth-seeded Jasmine Paolini6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-4 in atight match lasting nearly three hours.

Suns,

Mercuryannounce arena naming rights deal

PHOENIX ThePhoenix Sunsand Phoenix Mercury have announced a$115 million, 10-year naming rights partnership with United Wholesale Mortgage thatwill rename theteam’sarenathe Mortgage Matchup Center MatIshbia is the owner of the Suns and Mercury and is also the CEO of United Wholesale Mortagage. The45-year-old took over the as CEO in 2013, guiding its transformation into one of the top mortgage lenders in the U.S. “I’m extremelyexcited about this partnership as it represents twoorganizations that have natural alignment and ashared commitment to excellence,” Ishbia said in astatement.

other LSU lineman has given up more than fivepressures or nine hurries.

How was Curne able to succeed so early?

Start with his physical tools and talent. Curne is listed at 6-foot-5, 320pounds. As arecruit, according to 247Sports composite rankings, he was atop-100 prospect, oneofthe nation’s three best interior offensive linemen and the best player from Arkansas.

“The strongest freshman Ihave ever seen,” redshirt sophomore left tackle Tyree Adams said in August. “The strongest, the fastest. He’sbeen great. Hisdevelopment is going through the roof, and Ifeel like the sky’sthe limit for him, and he can literally play all over the field.” Curne only started against Ole

STAFF FILEPHOTO By

LSUoffensivelineman Braelin Moore, left, blocks offensivelineman CariusCurne during aspringpractice on March 22 at the team’s practice facility

Miss thanks to an unusual series of events. Ordinarily,LSU would’veturned to sixth-offen-

sive linemanDJChester in a pinch. But he was suspendedfor the first half of thegame against

Ole Miss because officials had flagged him for targeting the week prior in the Tigers’ win over Southeastern Louisiana. Now Curne might have achance to stay on thefield, in largepart because twostarters on LSU’soffensivelineare battling injuries Davis (concussion) could miss LSU’shome matchup with South Carolina. The sameistrue forleft guard Paul Mubenga, whosuffered ahigh ankle sprain in the loss to the Rebels.

Either absence could open more snaps for Curne, thefreshman who impressed Kelly in his first career start. “We’re going to take what we get from him,” Kelly said, “and that’s hard play,physicalplay.Hecan movesome people.”

Email Reed Darcey at reed darcey@theadvocate.com. For more LSU sports updates, sign up for our newsletter at theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter

U.S. increasing embassy staff to handleWCfans

WASHINGTON TheState Departmentwill increase staffing at certain U.S.embassies and consulates to accommodateanexpected majorjump in visa applicationsfrom soccer fans wanting to attend World Cup matches in the United States next year The department said Thursday it will send hundreds of additional consular officersto“designated countries” to handle the demand forvisa interviews. The numberofstaffers and the countries where theywill go have yet to be determined because the 48-teamfield forthe 2026 World Cup has not been finalized. Tickets forthe tournament hosted by U.S., Canada and Mexico went on sale Wednesday amid concerns over the Trumpadministration’scrackdownonmigration and temporary visasthatofferpermission to enter the United States.

St. Michael hands No. 1

U-High

Warriors overcome Cubs’ height advantage

BY CHARLES SALZER Contributing writer

There were plenty of storylines Thursday night when University High paid a visit to St. Michael for a nondistrict volleyball match, none bigger than the pairing of the top two teams in the Division III power rankings.

U-High came in with an edge in length and athleticism, but it was St. Michael’s precision and efficiency that proved to be the difference as the Warriors took a 3-1 win.

Second-ranked St. Michael (19-1) rarely made unforced errors as it handed No.1 U-High (18-1) its first loss of the season by scores of 25-20, 25-19, 25-27 and 25-20.

“That’s the biggest front line we’ve seen all year,” St. Michael coach Latashia Wise-Jackson said of the U-High front that includes Julianne Arruda and Monet Temple, both 6-foot-2.

“They’re a pretty athletic team, and they can bang the ball a little bit.”

first loss of season

THURSDAYS MATCHES

Istrouma at Baker, ppd. False River 3, Capital 0 (25-11, 25-8, 25-12) Episcopal 3, West Feliciana 0 (25-14 25-10, 25-15) Livonia 3, North Iberville 0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-13) Northeast 3, Tara 1 (25-27, 25-12, 25-18, 25-15) Woodlawn at Plaquemine, ccd. St. John 3, Family Christian 0 (25-7, 25-8, 25-18) St. Michael 3, University 1 (25-20, 25-19, 25-27, 25-20)

Led by Skylar Towner and Bella Bravata, St. Michael had answers. Towner finished with 20 kills and three blocks while Bravata had 13 kills and 18 digs. Both also helped the Warriors with accurate serving.

U-High wasn’t able to hold a late lead until the third set. Even then, it took extra effort before the Cubs took a 27-25 win. In the fourth set, St Michael moved out to a 17-11 lead and didn’t let the Cubs get closer than four points before ending the match with a 25-20 win.

“I thought we came out a little nervous, but it’s one game and we’ve got to learn to play through it,” U-High coach Bonita Johnson said.

“Being undefeated or not doesn’t define our season, and we’re comfortable with where we are right now.”

The Cubs got an all-

MLB WILDCARD ROUNDUP

around performance from Arruda, a sophomore who had 12 kills, 11 digs, 11 assists and four blocks. Temple, a freshman, had eight kills and 10 digs while Riley Spencer added 17 assists, five kills and three aces.

The first set was close in the early going. After a 10-10 tie, three kills and a block from Towner helped the Warriors take an 1813 lead. A late four-point surge pulled the Cubs to within 23-20 before the Warriors took the next two points.

St. Michael took control of the second set early on. At one point, the Warriors won six of seven points to take a 16-8 lead. A pair of blocks from Arruda helped the Cubs cut their deficit to 17-14, but the Warriors finished strong with Brynnan Kuber’s kill capping a 25-19 set win.

After the match, WiseJackson offered insight to her team’s success.

“We did make some errors, but when we’re able to play within ourselves and limit our errors, when our first ball contact is good, then we’re able to stay in system,” she said. “When we can stay in system then we’re pretty good.”

Yankees advance to ALDS with win over Red Sox

By The Associated Press

NEW YORK Rookie righthander Cam Schlittler struck out 12 as he shut down Boston with 100 mph heat, and the New York Yankees took advantage of a pair misplays in a four-run fourth inning to beat the Red Sox 4-0 on Thursday night for a 2-1 AL Wild Card Series win and a Division Series matchup against Toronto. New York became the first team to lose the opener and advance from the expanded first round, which began in 2022. The Yankees start the best-of-five Division Series on Saturday at the AL East champion Blue Jays A 24-year-old right-hander who debuted July 9, Schlitter grew up a Red Sox fan in Walpole, Massachusetts, but said he wanted to play for the Yankees. He had pitched against the Red Sox only once

RABALAIS

Continued from page 1C

having risen infinitesimally from 2024.

“Yeah,” he said last week after his season’s last start at Cincinnati, “I got a hundredth worse than last year.” Skenes has arguably been one of the best young pitchers in MLB history, just the fourth in the so-called “live ball era” (since 1920) to have a sub-2.00 ERA at 23 or younger and the first to accomplish that since Dwight Gooden in 1985.

“He’s the best in the world,” Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz said “I’ve said that time and time again, and he doesn’t disappoint.”

The only possible knock on Skenes in his pursuit of the NL Cy Young Award is his 10-10 record. He is the first pitcher since ERA became an official statistic in 1913 to have 200-plus strikeouts AND a sub-2.00 ERA and not finish above .500. It is possible the major league beat writers who vote on the Cy Young — a notoriously nitpicky bunch — could hold that against him. But Skenes’ record is an indictment not of him but of the anemic run support the Pirates gave him throughout the campaign No less an expert than ESPN baseball writer Jeff Passan doesn’t believe

before as a freshman at Northeastern in a 2020 spring training exhibition game. He outpitched Connelly Early, a 23-year-old lefthander who debuted on Sept. 9 and became Boston’s youngest postseason starting pitcher since 21-yearold Babe Ruth in 1916. Schlittler struck out two more than any other Yankees pitcher had in his postseason debut, allowing five singles in eight innings and walking none. He threw 11 pitches of 100 mph or higher — including six in the first inning, one more than all Yankees pitchers had combined before previously since pitch tracking started in 2008. TIGERS 6, GUARDIANS 3: In Cleveland, Dillon Dingler homered in the sixth inning, Wenceel Pérez drove in a pair of runs in a four-run seventh and Detroit defeat-

ed Cleveland to advance to the American League Division Series. It is the second straight season the Tigers have won a Wild Card Series on the road Detroit heads to Seattle for the Division Series with Game 1 on Saturday CUBS 3,PADRES 1: In Chicago, Pete Crow-Armstrong hit an RBI single off a shaky Yu Darvish, and Chicago shut down Fernando Tatis Jr and San Diego for a clinching victory in Game 3 of their NL Wild Card Series. Backed by a raucous crowd of 40,895 at Wrigley Field, Chicago used its stellar defense to advance in the postseason for the first time since 2017. Michael Busch hit a solo homer, and Jameson Taillon pitched four shutout innings before manager Craig Counsell used five relievers to close it out.

AP PHOTO By GENE J PUSKAR Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes delivers a pitch during the second inning against the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 16 in Pittsburgh.

Skenes’ record will be an issue.

“Paul Skenes is going to win the National League Cy Young unanimously this year,” Passan said late last month. “And deservedly so.”

There’s nothing Skenes can control about that, however His domain is the mound, and it is there that he creates his own environment with a mix of exceptional skill and intense drive and dedication.

“It may be surprising to everybody in baseball or in the world” what Skenes has done, said Johnson, whose current Tigers begin fall practice next week. “But when you know Paul Skenes, it actually is not surprising to me. Not just because of the overwhelming talent, but I

Aces, Mercury overcame challenges to reach Finals

BY MARK ANDERSON AP sportswriter

LAS VEGAS Las Vegas and Phoenix faced serious questions during the regular season about whether they were championship material, then came dangerously close to being forced to clean out their lockers before the WNBA Finals.

The second-seeded Aces were a Jackie Young follow shot away from losing to Seattle in the opening round and then were extended to overtime of Game 5 by an Indiana team with more stars watching than playing.

The No. 4 Mercury found themselves down 20 points to Minnesota and a probable 2-0 semifinals series deficit to the league’s top-seeded team.

But some way somehow both teams made it to the best-of-seven championship series, which opens Friday, and those postseason escapes leave two opponents that aren’t likely to back down regardless of the situation. The Aces are -125 series favorites, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

Las Vegas’ path to the finals has been anything but smooth. The Aces needed Young’s rebound shot to beat the Storm in the deciding Game 3 first round. Then they were taken the distance by a Fever team that went into the playoffs without players such as Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham, lost Kelsey Mitchell to injury in Game 5 and played OT without Aliyah Boston after she fouled out

But now they’re here.

“We’re battle tested,” Aces point guard Chelsea Gray said. “Each series was completely different, but they were challenges. I’m proud of the way we responded to those challenges.”

The Mercury showed their own mettle after falling behind 59-39 with 5:45 left in the third quarter of their Game 2 semifinal series against Minnesota. They rallied to force overtime and win 89-83 and stun the Lynx to make the series 1-1. Phoenix then won the following two games at home, going against a Lynx team without star Napheesa Collier in what became the decider after she was injured toward the end of Game 3.

“I think (the comeback) speaks volumes to the team and how we stay composed and go on runs and ride the waves,” Mercury star forward Alyssa Thomas said.

“It’s the same in the finals. It’s going to be a hard-fought battle, a tough series. You don’t know what each game is going to bring.”

History on the line

No matter which team wins, that side will claim of piece of WNBA history

Las Vegas, which won titles in 2022 and 2023, is hoping to becoming the second team to win at least three championships in four years. The Houston Comets in 1997-2000 won the league’s first four titles.

Phoenix hopes to add to its

trophy haul from 2007, 2009 and 2014. Should the Mercury prevail, they would tie the Comets, Storm and Lynx for the most WNBA championships.

Regular-season downplayed

The Aces took three of four from the Mercury in the regular season, but both sides said these are different circumstances.

“Playoff basketball, man,” Gray said. “It’s totally different than regular season.” Thomas said Phoenix’s postseason success showed its seeding, which was based on the regular season, was not relevant.

Finals format uncertainty

This is the first time the WNBA Finals will be a bestof-seven series. It had been a best-of-five. Neither side is certain what to expect from what could be the longest finals series in league history

“It’s exciting being a part of the first one,” Thomas said. “At the same time, you don’t know what a best-ofseven brings, but nothing changes. You still approach it the same way.”

Copper looking for edge

Bulletin-board material may or may not materialize, but that won’t stop Mercury forward Kahleah Copper from searching for any kind of slight that might give her and her team an advantage.

“At this point, I’m a pyscho looking for something,” Copper said. “Give us an edge. Don’t pick us. It’s cool. I’m just wired a little different.”

don’t think I’ve ever met a more committed, focused, attention to detail, driven athlete in all my life.

“He has done everything to take that ability and turn it into the skill of the best pitcher on the planet.”

We won’t know for sure that Skenes has won the NL Cy Young until sometime in November, after the World Series has concluded. Going forward, it will be riveting to watch whether the Pirates will try to build a winner around this generational talent. More likely, he will be shipping off to a bigger market team with deeper pockets once he can become a free agent, though that’s not until 2030. Meanwhile, we all wait to marvel at him once again. Bring on 2026.

THEVARSITYZONE

Golmond, Jackets‘letitrip’

BY JACKSON REYES Staff writer

Denham Springs coachBrett Beardgavehis quarterback Da’Jean Golmond amessage headingintotheir game against SouthernLab on Thursday night.

“Pull the trigger,let it rip and let’sgo,” Beardsaid. “Just trust youreyes. Itrust you.”

His senior quarterback respondedwithsix touchdowns, five through the air andone rushing, to help theYellow Jackets (3-2) securea41-14 win at Southern’sA.W.Mumford Stadium.

Golmond finished 20 of 26 for 239 yards.

“Everyone did our job,” Golmond said. “Everyone stepped up.”

He was quick to credithis receivers

“They make me look good,” Golmond said. “Very special group for us.”

Denham Springs began its first three drives in Southern Lab territory because of sturdy defense and Kittens’ special teamsblunders.

The Yellow Jackets’ first drive endedina Golmond 4-yard run. The Kittens (3-2) raninto

trouble on their second drive aftera sack on fourth down set Denham Springs up at the Southern Lab45. The Yellow Jackets drovedown the field in seven plays.Golmond found his twin brother,senior receiver Da’Sean Golmond, for a14-yard score to makeit13-0 late in the first period.

The lead stretched to 20 after Golmond capped afive-play,36yard drivewith hissecond passingtouchdown of thegame, this time to juniorTrey Seals early in thesecondquarter SouthernLab finallyfound

pay dirt midway through the second to make it 20-6, but the Yellow Jackets wouldn’ttake long to respond.

Afterbothsides went three andout,Golmondpicked apart theKittens’ defense, going 7of 8for 60 yards on adrive late in the first half. He cappedthe drive witha6-yardpass to senior tightend Hayden Ray to makeit27-6 at halftime.

TheYellow Jackets’defense complemented his performance, allowing just40total yards in the first half. The Kittenswere limited to minus-3 yards rushing andthreefirst

downs in thefirst half.

“It sets astandard that you’ve got to liveupto,” Golmond said abouthis defense.“We’vegot to make themlook good, putting pointsonthe board.” Golmond gotright back to work in thesecondhalf. DSHSexecuted afive-play, 64-yard drive that took two minutes. He found Ray for a20-yard score for his fourth passing TD of the game.

Aftersenior defensive back TrendonMetoyer intercepted apass by Southern Lab sophomore quarterback Dexter Ricard, Golmond immediately found Seals for a42-yard score. Southern Lab added another touchdown in the fourth, but it was toolatetomount acomeback. The Yellow Jackets held theKittens to 201 total yards on 49 plays.

“Wehad alot to play fortonight,” Beard said. “Had to shake back fromatough one last week (a 26-20 loss to East Ascension) and I’m really proud of the way we responded.”

The win marked Beard’s first in A.W.Mumford Stadium against Southern Lab.

“I really was excited to get over here and see this environment,” Beard said. “Anytime you beat SouthernLab in football is abig win.”

Griffins,Gators face off in 5-5A game at ‘The Pit’

BY JACKSON REYES Staff writer

Week 5ofthe high school football season offers several battles between top powers in the state. Here’swhat to know about five big games happening in the Baton Rouge area. DutchtownatSt. Amant

AcrucialDistrict5-5A matchup will take place Friday night in “The Pit” in St. Amant between the Gators and Griffins. Dutchtown (3-1) will have its three-gamewinning streak tested against an undefeated St. Amant side. TheGators(4-0)havewon threeoftheir four games by double digits. Both sides went 5-1 in district play last season, with St. Amant’slone district loss coming from Dutchtown. St. Amant will look to stay undefeated and get revenge after last year’s24-21 defeat.

Madison-RidgelandAcademy at Catholic TheBearsreturntoMemorialStadium and look to bounce back from their Week 4loss to West Monroe.Catholic(3-1) will have to do it against Madison-Ridgeland, which is the top-ranked team in Mississippi, according to MaxPreps.

The Patriots are 5-1 and are averaging 45 points pergame. Catholic’s defense,allowing 23 points pergame, will look to slowdown a potent MRA offense.

LafayetteChristian at Central

The Wildcats (4-0) rose in theLWSA 5A polls to No. 3after aWeek 4win over Cecilia. Central will face Lafayette Christian (3-1), which is rankedNo. 3inthe Class 2A polls TheKnights fell to Shaw 31-13 last week thanks to abevy of turnovers but will look to tarnish the Wildcats’ unblemished record. Live OakatEastAscension

Twoschools on the rise meet in akey District 5-5A battle on Friday when the Eagles play the Spartans.

Live Oak (2-2) and its potent offense, averaging 37 points pergame, will look to start 2-0 in district play forthe first time since2016. East Ascension (3-1) seeks its first 2-0start in District 5-5A since 2022.

St.Charles at St.James

The Comets enterthe matchup with a4-0 record and the No. 7ranking in the Class 4A poll. St. Charles takes on the Wildcats(3-1), whoare No. 2inthe Class 2A poll.

St. James is coming offa54-0 win over Ponchatoulaand will look to extendits winstreak to twostraight.

BY JACKSON REYES Staff writer

Live Oak quarterback Cayden Jones and wide receiver Cash Davis just have to give each other the look on any given play And if Davis breaks open?

“It’sjust wraps,” Davissaid. “That’swhat (Jones) does. He just throws it to me, and Imake aplay.”

The senior quarterback and juniorwidereceiver have fueled aresurgent Eagles offense that is averaging 37 points per game through the first four games of the season. Live Oak is 2–2 and 1-0 in District 5-5A play

“(Davis)definitely makes my job alot easier,” Jones said.“We know what each other likes.”

After averaging 17.2 points per game and finishing 3-7 last season, the Eagles duo is determined to deliver the school its first winning season since 2019.

“It feels good to finallyget some wins and start off 1-0 in district,” Jones said. “I can’ttell you the last time we did that.” Jones and Davis began building their connection last season,even when adifferent quarterback was starting for Live Oak. It’sonly gotten better with the twofinally being able to show out on the field in games. Davis has 33 receptions for 610 yards and six touchdowns. In a 55-28 win against Ponchatoula, he set school single-game records with 226 yards receiving and three touchdowns.

The biggest change he’sseen in his game is achange in attitude

“My mindset and what Idoin the offseason separates me and what Idoonthe field,” Davis said With five games left in theregular season, Davis hopes to finish with 1,000 yards receiving, double-digit touchdowns and, most importantly,adeep playoff run Davis is continuing the legacy established by his father and

LiveOak quarterbackCaydenJonespassesagainst Dunham on Sept. 11 at Olympia Stadium. Jones has thrown for1,383 yards and 11 touchdowns

older brother,bothofwhom were football standouts. He takes pride in that lineage, performing each week.His brother,Chris Davis Jr also played receiver at Live Oak.Chriscommitted to South Alabama where he spent two seasons before he transferred to Coahoma (Mississippi) Community College.

ForJones, his success has come from becoming more comfortable in the pocket. He’susually able to knowwhat he wants to do with the ball before he takes thesnap.

“It makes things awhole lot easier for me,” Jones said. “Just (stay) calm back there. I’m not really worried about thestats or anything.Itjust happens.”

His newfound confidence has led to 1,383 yards passing with a68% completion percentage. Jones also has 11 touchdowns

passes and has run for three more. Against Ponchatoula, he also set Live Oak single-game records with five TDpasses and 420 yards.

Jones has been able to grow moreconfident in his ability to read defenses and understand what his receivers like. He credited his offensive line for giving him better protection in the pocket

This is Jones’ fourth season at LiveOak, while Davis is in his thirdseason.

“It just feels good to finally be thebig dog on campus,” Jones said, “and run theshow around here.

Getting to watch the two play every week is special, said second-year coach Randell Legette.

“It’s beautiful to witness on Friday night,” Legette said. “It’s just

LiveOak wide receiverCash Davis runs after acatchagainst Dunham on Sept. 11. Davis has 33 receptions for610 yards and six touchdowns thisseason.

fun to watch them be able to execute and see that come to life.”

Their success doesn’tsurprise Legette. He described the pair as having great character andbeing good teammates.

Legette said Davis’ ability to stay relaxed is aplus.

“Just his ability to not let the pressure of thesituation get to him,” Legette said. “Still be able to execute. No doubt about it, he’s atalented kid.” Jones has played defensive back, receiver,running back and now quarterback. Playing multiple positions has helped him understand thegamebetter

“He’ssmart, really athletic, and that separates him from other quarterbacks,” Legette said. “Hey,ifsomething’sbreaking down, Cayden Jones is going to makeaplay.”

Giants bringing star-studded defensive line to N.O.

BY LUKE JOHNSON and MATTHEW PARAS Staff writers

On a surface statistical level, the New York Giants defense that will visit the Caesars Superdome this week has not been especially impressive.

New York comes into its Week 5 matchup against the New Orleans Saints ranked No. 23 in scoring defense and No. 29 in total defense. It has given up a staggering 6.1 yards per carry this season (rank: 31st).

Opponents are converting 42.3 % of their third downs (26th) and 72.7 % of their red zone opportunities (27th).

But there is one specific unit on the Giants’ defense that might be rounding into form right as they roll into town: Their defensive line is loaded with talent and is coming off a strong performance against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Chargers were without both of their star tackles, and the Giants took full advantage, pressuring quarterback Justin Herbert on nearly half of his dropbacks. The result was Herbert’s worst game of the season, with the star quarterback completing just 56 % of his passes while compiling a season-low 57.3 passer rating.

As the Saints have done with their offensive line, the Giants have devoted a significant amount of resources into their defensive front.

They sent a second-round draft pick to the Carolina Panthers last

spring for Brian Burns, who currently leads the NFL with five sacks. In May of 2023, they made Dexter Lawrence one of the NFL’s highest-paid defensive tackles with a $90 million extension. They used the No. 3 pick in this year’s draft on Abdul Carter, who had a team-high eight pressures last week, and the No. 5 pick in 2022 on Kayvon Thibodeaux.

All of those players have been on the field for at least 65 % of the Giants’ defensive snaps this season.

“They got some of the best play-

Egbuka’s first

ers in our league, premier players,” Saints coach Kellen Moore said “They have some different tools where they can get them all on the field at the same time, which is obviously going to stress you from a protection standpoint. They’re trying to create as many one-onones for these guys (as they can), because obviously they’re really talented.”

Injury report

Two important contributors to

month in the NFL with the Bucs has been impressive

BY ROB MAADDI AP pro football writer

TAMPA, Fla. — Emeka Egbuka

caught a deep ball that sailed through two defenders and raced toward the end zone before slowing down at the 1, turning around and walking backward to complete a 77-yard touchdown catch.

The rookie wide receiver had an impressive first month with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Egbuka has 18 receptions for 282 yards and four touchdowns. He leads all rookies in yards and TDs. With Mike Evans sidelined by a hamstring injury the Buccaneers (3-1) are counting on Egbuka even more. His long TD catch sparked a rally against the Eagles last week that fell short.

The Buccaneers had other needs when it was their turn to pick 19th in the first round of the NFL draft. But they couldn’t pass up Egbuka, who had a stellar career at Ohio State. He’s lived up to expectations.

“There (have) been a lot of adjustments it has taken to go from college to the NFL,” Egbuka said Wednesday “There is not specifically one I can point at. Just taking the steps to be able to learn from my mistakes and grow each and ev-

Continued from page 1C

be sold because she has no heirs. As the executors of her estate, Lauscha, general manager Mickey Loomis and longtime director of communications Greg Bensel have been charged with overseeing the sale. Benson has stipulated that they pick an owner who agrees to keep the team in New Orleans, but there’s no way to ensure that happens beyond an ironclad legal lease.

“I am never going to leave,” Benson quipped during the ceremony. Understandably, you might be wondering why the Saints wouldn’t agree to an ironclad long-term lease if they are so committed to keeping the team in New Orleans. Or why state officials didn’t lock in the Saints for 30 years the way Buffalo and Jacksonville did recently with the Bills and Jaguars?

Two complicating factors withered the state’s leverage and prevented officials from securing a longer-term deal, according to sources close to the negotiations. Because the lease is for a renovated stadium rather than a new one, Saints and NFL officials were hesitant to tie the club down to a 50-year-old stadium.

While a $560 million renovation of the Superdome was completed

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By CHRIS O’MEARA Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in Tampa, Fla.

ery week It is a very long season (and I have) to be able to not stay the same week in and week out, (have) to continue to grow.”

The Buccaneers got Chris Godwin back last week for the first time since last October They have more depth at the position with veteran Sterling Shepard and rookie Tez Johnson When Evans and Jalen McMillan come back, it’ll give Baker Mayfield even more options.

just last year, it still pales in comparison to the $2 billion new stadiums being constructed in Buffalo and Nashville

When the Bills and Bears move into new stadiums in the next few years, the Superdome will be the second-oldest stadium in the NFL behind only Lambeau Field in Green Bay Wisconsin.

Equally if not more important, the eventual sale of the club looms over all future decisions. Understandably, the NFL wants flexibility for the future owners. Skeptics would say they also want to increase the sale price of the team, and an open-ended lease deal with a small relocation fee would certainly bolster the asking price.

State officials added legal language to the new deal to try to deter the new owners from relocating to another city, but contracts only go so far History has shown, where there’s a will for an NFL owner to relocate, there is a way The Chargers and Rams both broke leases to move to Los Angeles. The $378 million relocation fee did not stop the Raiders from moving to Las Vegas from Oakland.

Ultimately, the future of the Saints rests in the hands of Benson’s trustees and their NFL overlords.

The NFL and its owners also have a role in approving any ownership transition, which would require a vote of support by at least three-quarters of the owners.

Egbuka is already drawing coverage from top cornerbacks.

“Well, he’s going to attract the attention and he attracted Quinyon Mitchell, who’s a very good corner in his own right,” coach Todd Bowles said. “So, it was a good battle that way But with Chris coming back, and Shep making plays, and with Tez coming on, we expect those guys to step up and make more plays too, to take some of the attention off him.”

“The significant investment by the team and Gayle Benson was done so purposely to position the team, city and state so that any future new owner would see and reap the benefits of an updated stadium with surrounding fan facing amenities that make keeping the team in New Orleans attractive,” longtime Saints spokesman Greg Bensel. “… Our goal remains to be here long-term.”

It’s not the Benson-led Saints whom fans and New Orleanians should be concerned about, though.

As we learned from the Cleveland Browns relocation to Baltimore, any NFL team, even beloved, wellsupported ones, can leave.

“I don’t think Mrs. Benson wants to leave, the state does not want them to leave and I don’t think the NFL does either,” said Rob Vosbein, the chairman of the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District and lead negotiator for the state on the deal.

As we all know things can change. Ten years is a lifetime in professional sports. Ten years ago, the Rams were in St. Louis, the Chargers were in San Diego and the Raiders were in Oakland.

Let’s hope the new owner is someone with local ties and/or interests. Someone who understands they are just a steward for the team and are protecting the asset for the city, as Benson said. The Saints don’t just belong in New Orleans. They belong to New Orleans.

weeks.

Elsewhere, the Saints were missing defensive tackle Davon Godchaux (rest), cornerback Isaac Yiadom (hamstring), wide receiver Trey Palmer (ankle), guard Dillon Radunz (toe), defensive end Chase Young (calf) and Ruiz (ankle). Young and Ruiz won’t play in Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.

Safety Justin Reid (knee) and defensive tackle John Ridgeway (shoulder) were also full participants after being limited Wednesday Tight ends Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau remained limited.

Pettis returns

After the Miami Dolphins poached Cedrick Wilson from their practice squad, the Saints filled his spot by signing another veteran receiver with recent ties to the organization.

the Saints returned to practice Thursday Tight end Juwan Johnson (ankle) and guard Trevor Penning (ankle) were both back and participating in the individual portion open to reporters. The two returned after a one-day absence, being officially listed as limited.

Coach Kellen Moore said Wednesday that Penning’s ankle injury was not as severe as Cesar Ruiz‘s high-ankle sprain, which will keep him out a reported 4-6

The Saints signed Dante Pettis to the practice squad, bringing back a receiver who appeared in eight games with the club last season. Pettis was with the Saints throughout training camp, but did not make the 53-man roster In his time with the Saints last season, Pettis caught 12 of his 20 targets for 120 yards and a touchdown.

He also provided some value as a return man, recording a 53yard punt return and a 38-yard kick return last season.

Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@theadvocate.com.

NFL to launch flag

football leagues before Olympics

BY KEN MAGUIRE AP sportswriter

LONDON The NFL plans to launch women’s and men’s professional flag football leagues “in the next couple of years,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday

The timeline outlined by Goodell at a sports conference in London would see the leagues created ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, which will feature flag football for the first time.

“We’re committed to creating a women’s professional league, and a men’s professional flag league

We’ve had a great deal of interest in that and I expect that we’ll be able to do that, launch that, in the next couple of years,” Goodell said at the Leaders in Sport conference at Twickenham Stadium.

The league has prioritized flag football as a way to attract young

SAINTS

Continued from page 1C

Notably, New Orleans also used motion on a season-high 79.4% of its run plays, averaging 6.1 yards per carry on such plays.

“With the motion, it felt like a little bit of a game-plan opportunity that we felt very good about,” Moore said. “Felt like it was productive for us.”

When the game was done, the Saints had racked up a seasonbest 189 yards on the ground. It was what the Saints running game was supposed to look like when Moore and the assistant coaching staff designed it this offseason.

“This should look like basketball on grass,” run-game coordinator

T.J. Paganetti said about the rush offense this summer “It’s not,

‘We’re going to go out there and do calculus on the field and try and come up with the perfect play.’

The plays kind of need to solve themselves on the run, and players also have to have tools in their toolbox to solve things on the run.”

Yes, but: Miller said the Saints madeabitofaphilosophicalchange in the lead-up to the Bills game.

“We switched up our run scheme because we weren’t (getting results) in the first three games,” Miller said. “We went to more zone runs I feel like that’s what we’re good at; zone, outside zone. You could definitely see it on display.”

Under offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak last season, the Saints almost exclusively used zone running schemes, where the offensive line moves in sync along a “track” after the snap, blocking an area rather than a specific player or gap The idea was to be more multiple this year, according to offensive line coach Brendan Nugent, utilizing both

fans, both male and female.

“The demand is there We’re seeing colleges in the states and universities internationally also that want to make it a part of their program,” Goodell said.

“If you set that structure up where there’s youth leagues, going into high school, into college and then professional, I think you can develop a system of scale. That’s an important infrastructure that we need to create.”

Mexico City has been off the NFL’s rotation of hosts for international games while Azteca Stadium was under renovations ahead of the 2026 World Cup. It’s back in the picture now though.

“We’ll be back in Mexico City next year, which we’re thrilled about,” Goodell said

The league is playing a recordhigh seven games internationally this season — six of them in Europe. Brazil hosted one game.

gap and zone schemes.

But because the offense skewed so heavily toward zone schemes last season, much of the early offensive install in training camp focused on gap-scheme runs.

“We put a heavy emphasis on gap schemes since we’ve gotten in pads, because they didn’t really do it last year,” Nugent said early in training camp.

The shift toward more zone runs last week isn’t necessarily permanent. The Saints intend to tailor their rushing attack to the opponent they play in a given week. The right way to attack the Bills won’t be the same against this week’s opponent, the New York Giants.

“From an outside zone perspective, we probably had a higher percentage last week, and there were obviously some positives there, so we recognize that,” Moore said.

“Butatthesametime,(Giantspresent) some really big challenges.”

New York has one of the best defensive fronts in football, anchored by three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. He is bookended by the NFL’s sack leader, Brian Burns, as well as this year’s No 3 pick, Abdul Carter and 2022 No. 5 overall pick Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Despite that talent up front, the Giants have had a tough time against the run this season. They have allowed an NFL-worst +.18 Expected Points Added (EPA) per rush while yielding the thirdmost yards before contact per attempt (2.04).

Last week, Chargers rookie running back Omarion Hampton racked up 128 rushing yards on just 12 carries against New York, includinga54-yardtouchdownrun.

The Saints are tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the NFL’s 10th-best rushing attack. This week should show whether the arrow is pointing up.

(34,788).

FREE FUN

This weekend,takeinFree FirstSunday, withadmission waived that dayatthe Louisiana Art& Science Museum, Old State Capitol, Old Governors’ Mansion, Magnolia Mound Museum +Historic Site, LSU Museum of Art, CarySaurage Community Arts Centerand LSU Center for River Studies.

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

On the rocks

Ahandkerchief discovered by a lovesick suitor adds up to hilarity

BY ROBINMILLER Staff writer

It was definitelyamistake when Winifred Edwards left her handkerchief behind at the dinner party,stirring delusions of love in Anthony Tailor Now she has aproblem. She’s not in love with Anthony or anyone else, for that matter. Besides, Anthony is needy Really needy And mom is pushy.She wants Winifred married and settled. So, what’salate 19th-century girl to do in atime when independent women aren’tthe norm? Well, the answercan befound at LSU’sShaver Theatrewhen LSU Theatre opens its 2025-26 season on Friday with playwright Maggie Smith’scomedy, “TheCourtship of Winifred Edwards.”

STAFF PHOTO By ROBINMILLER

From left, Jillian Boyles is Charlotte, John Dunn is Victor and Treazure Jackson is Ottilie in LSU Theatre’sproduction of ‘The Courtship of WinifredEdwards.

Apremiereofsorts

The production will be akindof, sort-of debut of this playoutside of its workshopped showat the TwoChairs theater company in Chicago. Now,this is asignificant landmark in the play’sjourney to LSU’sstage, because the Chicagocompany wasfounded by LSU Theatre alumni

ä See ‘WINIFRED’, page 2D

‘THE COURTSHIP OF WINIFRED EDWARDS’

An LSU Theatre production Friday-Sunday, and WednesdayFriday, Oct. 8-10 and Sunday, Oct. 12; Sundayperformances at 2p.m., all other performances at 7:30 p.m. l ShaverTheatre, LSU Music and Dramatic Arts Building 4230 Dalrymple Drive l $22, adults; $17, faculty,staff and seniors; $9, students l (225) 578-3527 or https://www.lsu. edu/cmda/theatre/index.php

IT’S FALL, Y’ALL!

Denham Springs Antique Villagewelcomes visitors to its Fall Festival from 9a.m.to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.Look for160-plus arts &crafts vendors, children’sactivities, food, music and more. For more fairs and festivals this weekend, see Page 2D denhamspringsantiquedistrict.net/dsantique-village-festival-information.

ANIGHT ATOP THE TOWN

It’sall about opulence, high-stakes gambling and indulgenceuntil tragedystrikes welcometo“Casino Royale:A Murder MysteryEvent” from 7p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday on ShawCenter forthe Arts Fourth Floor RiverTerrace. Tickets startat$65.87 and include light food; acash bar also will be operating.eventbrite.com.

BACKTO THEROOTS

BY JOHN WIRT

Contributing writer

In its thirdyear,Federales Fest returns to Live Oak at Cedar Lodge this weekend.

Running fromnoon to 11 p.m. SaturdayinLive Oak’scovered horse arena, the rain-or-shine event stars aSouthern-accented slate of national, regional and local musical acts. Gates open at noon and music starts at 1p.m. with ScenicHighway,abandofstudents fromBaton Rouge Music Studios.

This year’srootsy FederalesFest lineup offers country, rock ’n’ roll, funk and Americana music.General admissiontickets at $75and VIP tickets at $250 are available at federalesfest.com.

Previous Federales Fests presented outlaw countryand Americanamusic,but festival founder J. Hover hopes to broaden this

FEDERALES FEST

Noon to 11 p.m.Saturday l Live Oak at Cedar Lodge, 6300 Jefferson Highway l $75$250 l federalesfest.com

MUSICSCHEDULE

n 1P.M.-1:20P.M.: Scenic Highway n 1:35 P.M.-2:20P.M.:

BY JAMI GANZ Newyork Daily News (TNS)

year’saudience through somemusical expansion. The 2025 lineup includes Texas-born performers Paul Cauthenand SamMorrow; New Orleans’ master of the funky bass, George PorterJr.;Lafayette’s Zach Edwards and the Medicine; Dominick Michael; anda reunion of Baton Rouge’sCaptain Legendary Band. Hover describes the top-billed Paul CauthenasJohnny Cash on steroids.

“He’sashowstopper,” Hover said. “I can’twait forhim to bring the house down.” Originally from Tyler, Texas, Cauthen hitthe musicbusiness runningwiththe roots-rockband Sons of Fathers. Notedfor hisbig baritone voice, he unleashed asolo career with his 2016 album, “My Gospel.”

See FEDERALES, page 2D

NEWYORK In out-of-thisworld news, Rick Moranisisreturning from decades of semi-retirement for a“Spaceballs” sequel. The 72-year-old “Ghostbusters” star —who has rarely appeared onscreen since the 1990s —will reprise his roleasDark Helmet in “Spaceballs 2,”which Amazonconfirmed last week was greenlit by its Amazon MGM Studios. Mel Brooks, who helmed the original 1987 “StarWars” spoof, will alsoreprisehis roles as President Skroob andYogurt, but is passing the directing torch to “Will &Harper” director JoshGreenbaum Daphne Zuniga, Bill Pullman and George Wynerwill also return forthe “Non-PrequelNonReboot Sequel Part Twobut with Reboot Elements Franchise Expansion Film,” which is currently in production and slated for a 2027 theatrical release.

KekePalmer and Anthony Carrigan are joining the intergalactic parody alongside Pullman’s son, “Thunderbolts*” star Lewis Pullman, and Josh Gad, who was brought on to co-write the script. “Parenthood” star Moranis,for his part, is returning from alongheld live-action hiatus, following

See MORANIS, page 2D

NOWTHROUGH NOV. 7

FANFARE: various days and times, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond. The university’s annual fall festival of thearts, humanities and social sciences is markingits 40th season as theuniversity itself is in itsyearlong 100th anniversary celebration. Music events, theatrical productions, lectures, dance concerts, the worldpremiere of the film “Southeastern 100,” Day of Latino Cultureand more. For complete schedule, go to www columbiatheatre.org/fanfare

THROUGHSUNDAY

TANGIPAHOAPARISHFAIR: 12614

Arena Drive, Amite. Atraditional fair with rides, food, aparade,livestockshow, cooking contests and talent contests. tangifair.org.

SATURDAY

FALL FESTIVAL: 9a.m.-4:30 p.m., Denham Springs Antique Village North RangeAvenue. Hometown style festival offering morethan 160 arts &crafts vendors,children’s activities, food, music, costume contest, special sales in stores. www.denhamspringsantiquedistrict.net/ds-antiquevillage-festival-information

ARTS FEST: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Perkins Rowe,Bluebonnet Boulevard at Perkins Road. Florida StreetBlowhards, 10 a.m.-11a.m.; Louisiane

Vintage Dancers,11a.m.-noon; Pour &Paint with Painting and Pinot, 1p.m.-3 p.m.(twosessions) ticketed event, https://paintingandpinot.com/ee/perkinsroweartfest/.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

PLANTFEST!: 9a.m.-2 p.m.Saturday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, LSU Hilltop Arboretum,11855 Highland Road. Discovermorethan 3,000 plants andmorethan300 species of nativeand traditional trees, shrubs, perennials,vines, ferns, succulentsand grasses. https:// lsu.edu/hilltop/ GERMAN FEST: 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Saturdayand 9a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday, 7212 Roberts Cove Road, Rayne. Sip German beer and enjoy folkloredemonstrations, liveentertainment andauthentic German food. robertscovegermanfest.com.

SUNDAY SUGARFEST: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.,West Baton Rouge Museum, 845 N. Jefferson Ave., Port Allen. Learn about local culture,music and history at the 30th annual event. Traditional folk art andoccupationalcraft demonstrations, a peek inside museumexhibits and historic buildings, cane cutting and grinding demonstrations, cane syrup boiling, andlivemusic. Free. wbrparish.org

TODAYINHISTORY

By The Associated Press

Today is Friday,Oct. 3, the

276th day of 2025. There are 89 days left in the year

Todayinhistory:

On Oct. 3, 1990, West Germany and East Germany ended 45 years of postwar division, declaring the creation of areuni-

fied country

Also on this date:

In 1944, during World WarII, U.S. Army troops cracked the Siegfried Line north of Aachen, Germany.

In 1974, Frank Robinson was named the American League’s first Black manager afterhewas hired by the Cleveland Indians.

In 1995, the jury in the O.J. Simpson murder trial in LosAngeles found the former football star not guilty of the 1994killings of his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman.

In 2008, O.J. Simpson was found guilty of robbing two sports-memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in aLas Vegas hotel room. (Simpson was sentenced late that year to nine to 33 years in prison; he was granted parole in July 2017 and released from prison in October of that year. He died at age 76 on April 10,2024, after battling prostate cancer.)

In 2011, an Italian appeals court freed Amanda Knox of Seattle after four years in prison, tossingmurder convictions

MORANIS

Continued from page1D

the1997death of hiswife, Ann, at which point he pivoted to voice acting and raising the couple’s two children.

The Emmy-winning Canadianturned-New Yorker told TheHollywood Reporter in 2016 that he “tooka break, which turned into alonger break” and would “probably” jump back in front of the camera for “anything that (he) would find interesting.” Acameo in

against Knox and an ex-boyfriendinthe stabbing of their British roommate, Meredith Kercher.AnItalian high court definitively vindicatedKnox in 2015, throwing out their convictionsonceand forall.

In 2023, the U.S.House of Representatives voted to remove House Speaker Kevin McCarthy —the first timeinU.S. history aspeaker had been ousted from theposition.Though McCarthy hadthe supportofmany fellow Republicans, several hard-right detractorsfromhis party essentially forced himout.

Today’sbirthdays: Composer Steve Reich is 89. Rock ’n’ roll star Chubby Checker is 84. Musician Lindsey Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac) is 76. Blues musician Keb’ Mo’is74. Baseball Hall of Famer DaveWinfield is 74.Baseball Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley is 71. Golf Hall of Famer Fred Couples is 66. Rock drummer Tommy Leeis 63. Actor Clive Owen is 61. Film director DenisVilleneuve is 58. Singer-TV personality Gwen Stefaniis56. Popsinger Kevin Richardson (Backstreet Boys) is 54. Actor NeveCampbell is 52.Actor Lena Headey is 52. SingerIndia.Arie is 50. Rapper Talib Kweliis50.

Actor Seann William Scott is 49.

Actor Tessa Thompson is 42. Actor-singer Ashlee Simpson is 41. Actor Alicia Vikander is 37. Rapper A$AP Rockyis37. Actor AyoEdebiri is 30.

that year’s“Ghostbusters” reboot didn’tmake the cut, as it made “no sense” to Moranis, though he said he wished the film well.

“I’mhappy with the things I saidyes to,and I’mvery happy with the many things I’ve said no to,” Moranis said at the time.

“Yes, Iampicky,and I’ll continue to be picky.Picky has worked for me.”

Moranis is also slated to reprise his “Honey,IShrunk the Kids” role of Wayne Szalinski in the 1989 film’ssequel, “Shrunk,” which is currently in preproduction andalso stars Gad.

‘WINIFRED’

Continuedfrom page1D

Ricardo Mendoza, the LSU seniortheater major playing Anthony Trailor in this show,learned aboutthe workshopped production on social media.

“I have friends there,and Isaw theyhad taken photosofthe production that they’d done,” he said. “I wrote to one of them, asking if they could send me thescript, and they did.”

Mendoza,ofSan Juan,Puerto Rico,distributedcopiesofthe script to members of LSU’s Undergraduate Theatre Alliance, of which he’sa member

“I hosted abook club where, actually,alot of thepeople whoare in thecast now attended. We read theplay,and Iknew that Iwanted it to be done here, because it had only ever been done in ablack box theater with almost no setand one set of costumes,and Icould definitely see it being done on amuch moremaximalist, bigger scale

FEDERALES

Continuedfrom page1D

TexasMonthly magazine characterizedCauthen’s “MyGospel” studio performances as theembodimentofall four membersofcountry supergroup the Highwaymen: “He’sgot Willie Nelson’sphrasing, Johnny Cash’shaggard quiver, Kris Kristofferson’s storytelling and Waylon Jennings’ baritone.”

NPRand RollingStone magazine piled praiseonCauthen’sfollow-up release,the seven-song EP “Have Mercy.” Rolling Stone cited him as “one of the most fascinating, and eccentric,new voices in country music.”

Porter Jr.will play Federales Festwith his post-Meters band, Runnin’ Pardners. The group featureskeyboardist Michael Lemmler,guitarist Chris Adkins and drummer TerrenceHouston. Everyone, including Porter,sings.

At 77 years old, Porter is atreasured link to the golden age of New Orleans rhythm-and-blues anda founding father of the funk sound that emerged from theCrescent City in the late 1960s. His first dose of fame came alongside his fellow Meters: ArtNeville, Leo Nocentelli and Joseph “Zigaboo” Modeliste. Despitebeing New Orleans’most

and staged.”

So, Mendoza asked the Alliance memberstowrite notes about why they believed LSUshouldstage the play,then submitted them to LSU School of Theatre Director Kristin Sosnowsky

“And luckily enough, it was picked as aMain Stage production,” Mendoza said.

Acomic Austen theme

Now, if theplay’smaincharacter soundssomewhat like real-life authorJane Austen, it’s nota coincidence. Winifred Edwards’ life very muchaligns with that of the independent author

The story is set in 1890s America andfollows Winifred as she’spursued by Anthonywhile battling her family to maintain herindependence.

Anthonyisconvinced Winifred deliberately lefther handkerchief to capture his attention, so he enlists his quick-witted cousin, Georgia, to helphim unravel Winifred’s true feelings. But, as in the case of multilayered stories, things are not as they seem

successful funkoutfit, theMeters disbanded in 1977 amid bitter musicbusiness disputes. In the ensuing decades, the group performed occasional but much-anticipated reunions. With and without the Meters, Porter’sstage and record studio history includes classic New Orleansartists Professor Longhair,Allen Toussaint,EarlKing, LeeDorsey,Huey “Piano’ Smith, SnooksEaglin, Johnny Adams andIrmaThomas. BeyondNew Orleans, he’sworked withPaul McCartney,Jimmy Buffett, Tori Amos, David Byrne, Patti LaBelle, Robbie Robertson, TajMahaland the Grateful Dead’sBill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart. Highly esteemed in hishometown,Porter,for the seventh time, will be musical director forthe allstar tribute concert that’sstaged every November at Tipitina’s. Following tributes to Longhair,Toussaint, Dr.John,King, Fats Domino, Smith andThomas, Porterleads this year’stribute to his late Metersbandmate, Neville, and another funk pioneer,Eddie Bo. Morrow,originally fromHouston, mixes rock ’n’ roll, blues, rhythm-and-blues, honky tonk and funk into his contemporary Americana sound. Writing songs that tell stories about his life, Morrow frames his lyrics in music in-

“Winifred likes to think she’s like this rebel,” said Priya Hildebrand, asophomore theater major who plays the main character.“She’sthe black sheep of the family,but she’salso amajor people pleaser,which is how she ends up in the situation that she ends up in.”

But thatdoesn’tmean Winifred will accept her unwarranted fate.

“She’s definitelynot like Anthony in mostways,” said Hildebrand of Merrillville,Indiana. “She’sespecially notlike him in romance, which is what he wants. There are all of these things she wants to do, and she wants to live her life.”

Arguments andeyerolls will ensue as Winifred tries to make hercase, adding to thishilarious exploration of love and societal expectations brought together by guest director Gleason Bauer,associate director of Square Product Theatre in Boulder,Colorado.

“It’salighthearted, funplay,and Ithink it has areally great heart,” Bauer said. “Wehavesevenscripted roles andtwo ensemble roles, and we have areally great cast.”

fluenced by the classic roots acts Little Feat, Los Lobos and Freddie King as well as modern rockers Queens of the Stone Age. Attendance at Federales Festhas grown each year,Hover,said, from 750 in year one to 950 last year.He hopes to pass the1,000 mark this year “Our main goal for Federales Fest is to ensure asustainable event for years to come,” Hover said. “With the community vibe we’vegot and the music we’re turning people on to, we’ve gotenough momentum to be around for along time.” Alocal music scene veteran, Hover’sprevious gigs include beingmusic promoterfor Beauvoir Park and director of entertainment at Red StickSocial.Inaddition to staging Federales Fest, he’s managing director for Baton Rouge’sfree Fridayconcert series, Live After Five. ProceedsfromFederales Fest, which is presented by Williamson Eye Center and Lamar Advertising, supportBePositive, a nonprofit organizationdedicated to the next generation of Louisiana chefs,artists andmusicians. The 2025 festivalalso featuresabout 30 young vendors participating in the Children’sEntrepreneur Market. Email John Wirt at j_wirt@msn. com.

FRIDAY

BLIND AMBITION 2.0: Bayou

Plaquemine Waterfront, Plaquemine, 5:30 p.m.

JEFF BAJON PROJECT: Smokehouse 74, 5:30 p.m.

KIRK HOLDER: Galvez Seafood, Prairieville, 6p.m.

DAMON KING: Crowne Plaza, 6p.m.

STEVE LEVINE: The Brakes Bar, 7p.m.

RHODES,MAURER &FRIENDS: On the Half Shell, Prairieville, 7p.m.

CAKE MIXX: Bin 77, 7p.m.

KEITH FRANK: Bayou

Plaquemine Waterfront, Plaquemine, 7p.m.

BATONROUGE SYMPHONY

ORCHESTRA’S BACHTOBER

FEST: 7:30 p.m., Main Library at Goodwood,7711 Goodwood Blvd. Free.brso.org

HENRYTURNER JR. &ALL-

STARS: Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room, 8p.m.

JOEL COOPER ROCK SHOW: Icehouse TapRoom, 9p.m.

JIMMY AUCOIN: Beer Belly’s, Plaquemine, 9p.m.

N’TUNE: The Showroom, 9p.m.

SATURDAY

FLORIDASTREETBLOWHARDS: Perkins Rowe,10a.m., and Denham Springs Antique Village, 3:30p.m.

CHRISOCMAND: Railroad Park, Addis, 11 a.m

VICTORIA LEA: Leola’s Café, 11 a.m

FEDERALES FEST: LiveOak at Cedar Lodge, Noon BLIND AMBITION 2.0: Railroad Park, Addis, 1p.m.

JUSTIN CORNETT: Railroad Park, Addis, 4p.m.

MICHAEL FOSTER PROJECT, JEFFERYBROUSSARD AND THE CREOLE COWBOYS: St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, NewRoads, 5:30p.m.

GAIS DO DO BAND WITHGINA

FORSYTH: Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge,6 p.m 3:05 EXPRESS: El Paso-Sherwood, 6p.m

MARLEY VICK: Court To Table, 6p.m.

QUIANA LYNELL: The Smokey Pit, 6:30 p.m

ALLISON COLLINS: On the Half Shell, Prairieville, 7p.m

ELIZABETHSHAR: Frozen Assets Daiquiris, Gonzales, 7p.m.

SOURICIERE: The Brakes Bar, 7p.m

GRITZ N’ GRAVY: Bin 77, 7p.m

CRYS MATTHEWS: Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge, 7:30 p.m.

THE LEE SERIO BAND: Chuck’s Fishbowl, Addis, 7:30 p.m.

BILLYBOB THORNTON &THE

BOXMASTERS: L’Auberge

Event Center,8p.m.

DIXIE TAYLOR: Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room, 8p.m

TOPSHELF: CourtToTable, 8:30 p.m.

SPANK THE MONKEY: Fred’s on theRiver, Prairieville, 9p.m

SHANE MADERE &LAURIE

GRIMES: Spanky’s, Prairieville, 9p.m

WALKER WILSON: Murphy’s, 9:30 p.m.

SUNDAY

TAYLOR RAE DUO: On the Half Shell, Prairieville, 11 a.m.

ROBERTCALMES: Cocha, 11 a.m.

JUSTIN BURDETTE TRIO: Superior Grill MidCity,11a.m

TAYLOR NAUTA: Leola’s Café, 11 a.m.

CONNOR UNDERWOOD: Crowne Plaza, 11 a.m.

SUGARFEST: West Baton Rouge Museum, Port Allen, 11 a.m

LAZARRO NETTLES &FRIENDS AND TOTALCONTROL BAND: St.Augustine’s Catholic Church, New Roads. 1p.m

JULIAN PRIMEAUX: Manship Theatre, 2p.m

KEEPIN’ TIME BAND: Floyd’s Morley Marina, Brusly,4 p.m.

FLORIDA STREET BLOWHARDS: Garden House, 4p.m

SONGWRITERSUNDAYS: La Divina Italian Cafe,5 p.m.

LUCY YOES: PizzaByronz, 5p.m.

QUIANA LYNELL: The Edge Bar at L’Auberge, 6:30 p.m.

OPEN MIC JAM: FatCat Saloon,Prairieville, 7p.m

MONDAY

RHETT GUILLOT: Superior Grill MidCity, 6p.m

ACOUSTICRATS: Phil Brady’s, 6p.m

TUESDAY CHRIS LEBLANC DUO: Superior Grill MidCity, 6p.m

RALPH DAIGLE: Rio Verde

Mexican, Gonzales, 6p.m.

EDDIE SMITH: On theHalf Shell, Prairieville,6:30 p.m

ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL: Manship Theatre, 7:30 p.m

WEDNESDAY

KEEPIN’TIME BAND: West Baton Rouge Senior Spirit Dance, CommunityCenter, Addis, 11:30 a.m.

PHOEBE KOONTZ: BLDG 5, 5:30 p.m

LSU JAZZ BAND: ClassicVinyls,6p.m.

KIRK HOLDER: Bin77, 6:30 p.m

SONGWRITERS OPEN MIC W/ HEATHRANSONNET: Coop’s on 621, Gonzales, 7p.m.

ANDYPIZZOTRIO: Hayride Scandal,7:30 p.m

TITOPUENTE JR.: Manship Theatre, 7:30 p.m

OPEN MIC JAM: O’Hara’s Irish Pub, 8p.m.

THURSDAY KYBALION: El Paso-Sherwood, 6p.m.

ERICSCHMITT: La Divina Italian Cafe,6p.m. THE LEESERIOBAND: Rock N

2p.m.Sunday,Sullivan Theater, 8849 Sullivan Road, Central. sullivantheater.com. SATURDAY

BATONROUGE ARTS

MARKET: 8a.m. to noon, Fifth and Main streets downtown. Vendorssell avariety of unique, original works of art including pottery,woodwork textiles, glass, paintings, sculptures, photographs, handmade soaps, handmade toys,jewelry and more. artsbr.org.

RED STICK FARMERS

MARKET: 8a.m. to noon, Fifth and Main streets, downtown. Farm-fresh produce,goods, cooking demonstrations. breada. org.

FAMILY-HOUR STARGAZING: 10 a.m., IreneW Pennington Planetarium at the Louisiana Art & Science Museum, 100 S. River Road. Learn about the stars and constellations in the local nighttime sky,followedbyan all-agesshow. lasm.org.

BOOKS AND MUSICWITH THE KIDS’ ORCHESTRA: 11 a.m., Zachary Branch Library,1900Church St. Experiential learning session for children ages 3-11. kidsorchestra.org.

“LOUISIANA GRASS

ROOTS” (FILM+Q&A): 2p.m., Manship Theatre, 100 Lafayette St. The Acadiana-shot film tells the story of Louisiana’s forgotten prairie lands and thepeople working to save them. Directed by Jillian Godshall and produced by Dr. Phyllis Baudoin Griffard.

Featuring Geno Delafose Megan Constantin,Dr. Jeffery Darensbourg,Dr. CharlesAllen, Dr. Malcolm Vidrine, Larry Allain and SteveNevitt; original score by Grammy-nominated musicianBlake Miller. $12.50. manshiptheatre.org

MONTHLY CONTRA

DANCE: 4p.m.-6:30p.m., St. Alban’s Chapel, corner of HighlandRoad and Dalrymple Drive. Newcomer instruction at 1:15 p.m. Singles and couples welcome. $7 per person; free forfirsttimers.Louisianacontrasandsquares.comor (225) 803-9194.

QUUEER FÊTE MUSIC FESTIVAL: 4:30 p.m.9p.m., Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge,8470 Goodwood Blvd. Music from CrysMatthews and theGais Do Do Bandfeaturing Gina Forsyth, community resources, food, more. Adults, $15 and up;ages 12and younger, free. unitarianbr.org/QF BALLROOM DANCE: 7p.m.-10 p.m., American Legion, 151 S. Wooddale Blvd. “Halloween,Harvest andWild Wild West fall festivals dance with amix of recorded music for ballroom, Latin and swing dancing.$15 cash admission (dancers and spectators); cashbar.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

PLANTFEST!: 9a.m.-

2p.m. Saturdayand 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday LSU Hilltop Arboretum, 11855 Highland Road. Morethan 3,000 plants and just as manyspecies of nativeand traditional trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, ferns, succulents and grasses. https://lsu. edu/hilltop, (225) 7676916 or info@friendsofhilltop.org.

SUNDAY

FREE FIRSTSUNDAY: Louisiana Art &Science Museum, 100 S. River Road; Old State Capitol, 100 North Blvd.;Old Governors’ Mansion, 502 North Blvd.; Magnolia Mound Museum +HistoricSite, 2161 NicholsonDrive; LSU MuseumofArt,100 Lafayette St.; and Cary Saurage Community Arts Center, 233 St.Ferdinand St. and LSU Center for River Studies, 100 Terrace Ave. Free admission to all exhibits and installations, plus reduced-price entry to LASM’s Irene Pennington Planetarium shows AUTHOR TALK:“WERE YOUTHERE? ABIOGRAPHY OF EMMA WAKEFIELD-PAILLET”: 1:30 p.m.,Old State Capitol,100 North Blvd. Adeep diveinto the life of Wakefield-Paillet as shebreaks away from theoppression of the post-Civil WarSouthern life and successfully

becomes the first African American woman to receiveamedical degree in the state. Free. Ashley franklin@sos.la.gov.

MANHATTANSHORTFILM

FESTIVAL2025: 2p.m

Manship Theatre, 100 Lafayette St.Inover500 cities across sixcontinents, morethan 100,000 film lovers will gather to view and vote on the finalists’ filmsinthe 28th annual festival. $12.50. manshiptheatre.org

MONDAY ECHOES OF ENOUGH: AN EVENING OF ART, TRUTH, AND HOPE: 6:30 p.m. Manship Theatre, 100 Lafayette St.“ENOUGH! Plays to End GunViolence” calls on teensto confrontgun violence by creating new worksof theater that will spark critical conversations and inspiremeaningful action in communities across thecountry. $16. https://www.manshiptheatre.org.

TUESDAY RED STICK FARMERS

MARKET: 3p.m.-6 p.m., Main Library at Goodwood, 7711 Goodwood Blvd. Farm-fresh produce, goods, cooking demonstrations. breada. org.

ARTIST TALK AND RECEPTION WITH LSUMOA: 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.,The

Rowe,6 p.m

BENBELL&THE

GalleryatManship Theatre, 100 Lafayette St. ForJames Michalopoulos and his “HappyTimes, Summer in the City exhibit. Free. manshiptheatre.org.

BATONROUGE CHESS CLUB: 6p.m.-8 p.m La Divina Italian Cafe, 3535 Perkins Road, Unit 360. A chance to playand learn; all levels welcome.Free.

TRIVIA NIGHT: 6:30 p.m., Burgersmith,18303 Perkins Road. Collect your team and jockey for first place. loom.ly/y-CKtQ4.

WEDNESDAY

RED STICK FARMERS

MARKET: 9a.m.tonoon, ExxonMobil YMCA,7711 Howell Blvd. Farm-fresh produce, goods and more. www.facebook com/redstickfarmersmarket.

LUNCHTIME LAGNIAPPE: LOUISIANA FOLKLORE WITH NATHAN RABALAIS: noon-1 p.m.,Capitol Park Museum, 660 N. Fourth St.Bring lunch andhear Rabalais talk about Louisiana folklore. Free.

TRIVIA NIGHT: 6:30 p.m., Burgersmith,27350 Crossing Circle, Suite 150, Denham Springs. Collect your team and jockey for first place. loom.ly/yCKtQ4.

THURSDAY

RED STICK FARMERS MARKET: 8a.m.-noon,

Pennington Biomedical Research Center,6400 Perkins Road. Farm-fresh produce,goodsand more. facebook.com/ redstickfarmersmarket.

WEEKLYSOCIAL BIKE RIDE: 7p.m., Geaux Ride, 521 N. ThirdSt., SuiteA Free. fareharbor.com.

TRIVIA NIGHT: 7p.m., BayesOyster Bar, 315 NorthBlvd. Test your trivia skills withyour friends and family.Free.

ONGOING

CAPITOL PARK MUSEUM: 660 N. FourthSt. “Billy Cannon: They CalledHim Legend,” through Jan. 10. “Groundsfor Greatness: Louisiana and theNation” and “The Louisiana Experience:Discovering theSoul of America,” permanent exhibits. (225) 342-5428 or louisianastatemuseum.org.

CARY SAURAGE COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER SHELL GALLERY: 233 St. Ferdinand St. Hours arefrom 9a.m. to 4p.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 2p.m. Saturday.artsbr org.

BATONROUGE GALLERY CENTER FORCONTEMPORARYART: 1515 Dalrymple Drive.Exhibitsby Leslie Elliottsmith, Scott Finch and Kelly A. Mueller, through Oct. 26, with Articulate Artist Talk at 4p.m. Sunday

GLASSELL GALLERY: Shaw Center for theArts, 100 Lafayette St. “Disk Full: Christine Breuning and Janna Ahrndt,” through Oct. 9.

LOUISIANAART &SCIENCE MUSEUM: 100 S. River Road.“Landscapes Along the Railway:The Art of John Cleaveland,” Soupçon Gallery; “Going Places: Transportation Toys of the Past,” Discovery Gallery; “Shelf Queens: Model Train Masterpieces,”Colonnade Gallery; “Threads of Evolution: Engineering aCommunity That Sparkles,”engineering meets imagination through the work of Jaime Glas Odom, founder and creativedirector of fashion brand Queen of Sparkles, through Nov. 9. (225) 344-5272 or lasm.

BayouState of Mind,” highlighted by the exhibition “The Bayou Collection,” aseriesof 40 paintings by George Rodrigue,through Jan. 4. (225) 389-7200 or lsumoa. org. MANSHIP THEATRE GALLERY: 100 Lafayette St. “Michalopoulos:Happy Times, Summerinthe City,”through Oct.10. Hours are9 a.m.-4 p.m Monday, 9a.m.-10 p.m Tuesday-Thursday, 9a.m.-11 p.m.Friday 10 a.m.-11 p.m.Saturday, and 11 a.m.-5 p.m Sunday MAGNOLIA MOUNDMUSEUM +HISTORIC SITE: 2161 Nicholson Drive Guided and self-guided tours.Hours arefrom 10 a.m. to 4p.m. MondaySaturday and from 1p.m. to 4p.m. Sunday.brec. org/facility/MagnoliaMound OLD GOVERNOR’SMANSION: 502 NorthBlvd. Open for tours.Hours arefrom9 a.m. to 4p.m. Monday-Friday.Free admission. oldgovernorsmansion.com.

OLD STATECAPITOL: 100 NorthBlvd. “Contemporary Viewsofthe Castellated Capitol,” exhibit celebrating the 175th anniversaryofthe OSC and featuring the works of 19 well-known Louisiana artists. Free. louisianaoldstatecapitol. org. USS KIDD VETERANS MUSEUM: 305 S. River Road. Displaysofavariety of artifacts that celebrate veteran and navalmilitaryhistory.Note: Vessel is in Houma for drydock repairs.usskidd.com.

CompiledbyJudy Bergeron. Have an open-to-thepublic eventyou’d liketopromote? Email details to red@theadvocate. com. Deadline is 5p.m.Friday forthe following Friday’s paper

LIBRA (Sept. 23-oct. 23) Be creative; consider how you can make your surroundings and lifestyle more accommodating and practical. Take on only what's within your means mentally and financially.

ScoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Refrain from sharing too much information or secrets. Be a good listener and respond only when necessary. Anger and frustration can lead to opposition and setbacks.

SAGIttARIuS (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Be open regarding your intentions, and you'll receive positive input that helps you gain insight into how best to proceed. It's time to invest in yourself instead of supporting someone else's dreams.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Stick to simple, cost-effective solutions. Channel your energy into doing, not arguing over what others think or want from you. A physical change will boost your confidence.

AQuARIuS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) You know the protocol regarding financial, medical or legal affairs. A change at home will turn out better than you anticipate and help set you on a positive path.

PIScES (Feb. 20-March 20) Don't limit yourself when it's others who need to adjust to what's happening. A change in attitude or perspective can help you adapt your routine to suit your needs.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) Sort out any differences you are having and con-

centrate on tying up loose ends Use your imagination, and you'll discover a cost-effective way to get things done with panache.

tAuRuS (April 20-May 20) Emotional decisions will backfire if you aren't careful. Do your research before making a purchase, signing up for a subscription or volunteering your time, skills or money.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Share your experience with colleagues or experts. Airing how you feel will be met with a sympathetic response. Avoid taking risks with your health.

cAncER (June 21-July 22) Go on a learning spree. Discover what you can do to stay healthy, fit and mentally sharp. Leading someone astray will tarnish your reputation.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Emotion and anger will hurt a relationship if you aren't careful. Ask questions and verify your facts before agreeing to participate in something costly.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Intelligence coupled with intuition will help you sidestep potential professional risks. Focus your energy on staying current with industry changes. Attend networking functions.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. © 2025 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

Sudoku

InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers1 to 9inthe empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. Thedifficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

Yesterday’s PuzzleAnswer

By PHILLIP ALDER

Paul Valery,a French poet and critic who died in 1945, said,“Every thought is an exception to the general rule that people don’t think.”

Bridgeplayersalwaysthink—although expertsthink more than others.

Today’s deal requires careful thought. Southisinthreeno-trump.Westleadshis fourth-highest heart. What shouldSouth do afterwinning with hisjack?

South seems to have atextbook twono-trump opening bid, but it is closeto an upgrade to two clubs, with that good five-card suit worth an extra point.

Declarer has only five top tricks:two spades and three hearts. It looks obvious to attack diamonds,wherehehas so many cards. And that is true, but it helps if he pauses to think about the right play at tricktwo.

SupposeSouthmakesthenatural-lookingchoice of alow diamond to dummy’s jack. Here,East wins the trick withhis ace and returnsaheart, after which declarer has no chance. If South then triesclubs,East takes the trick withthe ace and leads his last heart.

True, if declarer starts at trick two with aclub to dummy’s 10, that makes it harder for thedefense. Whichever defender takes thetrickmustshift to spades.

However, Southcan leave the defenders with no chance if he leads the diamond king from his hand at the second trick. If East wins the trick, declarer takes East’sreturnand ducks adiamond to collect twospades, three hearts and four diamonds.Alternatively,ifEast ducks the diamond king, South turns to clubs, taking two spades, three hearts, one diamond and three clubs.

©2025 by NEA,Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

wuzzles

Each Wuzzle is awordriddlewhich creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: NOON GOOD =GOOD AFTERNOON

Previous answers:

word game

InStRuctIonS: 1. Words must be of fourormore letters. 2. Words that acquire fourletters by the addition of “s,”such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.3 Additional words made by adding a“d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit wordsare not allowed toDAy’S WoRD PEASAnt: PEH-zent: Ausually uneducated person of low social status.

Average mark24words Time limit 40 minutes Can you find 33 or morewords in PEASANT?

yEStERDAy’S WoRD —DuoDEcIMo

BID/FACT SHEET

$35,000,000 INCREASE OF LOUISIANA PUBLIC FACILITIES AUTHORITY REVENUE BONDS

(CLEAN WATER STATEREVOLVING FUND MATCH PROJECT) SERIES 2007

PURCHASER: Capital One, N.A.

BORROWER: Department of Environmental Quality

TRUSTEE BANK: Whitney Bank

TERMS OF BONDS: Principal Amount: Not Exceeding $95,000,000, which represents an increaseof$35,000,000 over the amount previously approved and sold.

Purchase Price: Par

Principal Final Maturity: November 1, 2035

Interest Rate: Variable

Purpose: Providingthe State’smatching funds necessary to obtain capitalization grant awards from the United States Environmental Protection Agency in connection with the State’sClean Water State Revolving Fund Program.

Of the original $60,000,000 previously authorized, the Department has already drawn down $60,000,000, leaving no proceeds available from the $60,000,000 previously authorized amount of the Bonds to be drawn by the Department. Taking into account the $35,000,000 of additional authority, the Department will be able to draw up to $35,000,000 to provide state matching funds, which will allow it to access federal capitalization grants for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program over the next several fiscal years, when and as needed.

LOUISIANAPUBLIC FACILITIES AUTHORITY

The following resolution was offered Trustee Guidry and seconded by Trustee Cheramie: RESOLUTION

Aresolution authorizing certain amendments with respect to the Authority’sClean Water State Revolving Fund Match Program; authorizing the increase of an additional $35,000,000 in the maximum amount of such bonds from amaximum of $60,000,000 to amaximum of $95,000,000; authorizing an extension of the final maturity of such bonds to November 1, 2035; approving the filing of an application with the Louisiana State Bond Commission; and providing for other matters in connection with the foregoing.

WHEREAS,the Authority is apublic trust and public corporation of theState created and existing pursuant to the provisions of the Louisiana Public Trust Act, Chapter 2-A of Title 9ofthe Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended (the “Act”), and an IndentureofTrust executed on August 21, 1974, and recordedinthe Official Records of the Clerk of Court of East Baton Rouge Parish; and WHEREAS,toprovide funds for and to fulfill and achieve its authorized public functions or purposes, the Authority is authorized and empowered by law,including particularly the provisions of the Act, to incur debt and issue bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness; and WHEREAS,the authorized public functions or purposes of the Authority include sanitary and storm sewer and other liquid and solid waste collection, disposal, treatment, and drainage services and facilities; and WHEREAS,the Authority,infurtherance of the purposes for which it was created and pursuant to resolutions duly adopted on February 6, 2007, March 9, 2010, February 7, 2012, August 6, 2013, and April 11, 2017, has entered into:

(i) aLoan Agreement (the Original Loan Agreement”) dated as of June 1, 2007, as amended and supplemented by: (ii) aFirst Supplemental Loan Agreement dated as of May 1, 2010, (iii) aSecond Supplemental Loan Agreement dated as of May 1, 2012, (iv) aThirdSupplemental Loan Agreement dated as of October 1, 2013, and (v) aFourth Supplemental Loan Agreement datedasof August 1, 2017. (collectively the Amended Loan Agreement”), by and between the Authority and the Louisiana Department of EnvironmentalQuality (acting in the capacity and as further defined herein, the Department”), and (vi) an IndentureofTrust(the Original Indenture”) dated as of June 1, 2007, as amended and supplemented by: (vii) aFirst Supplemental IndentureofTrust dated as of May 1, 2010, (viii) aSecond Supplemental IndentureofTrust dated as of May 1, 2012, (ix) aThirdSupplemental IndentureofTrust dated as of October1 2013, and (x) aFourth Supplemental IndentureofTrust dated as of August1 2017. (collectively the Amended Indenture”), by and between the Authority andHancock Whitney Bank, aMississippi state-chartered banking corporation (formerly “Whitney Bank”), Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as trustee (the Trustee”),pursuant to which the Authority has authorized the issuance of up to $60,000,000 of its bonds heretofore known as “Revenue Bonds (Clean Water State Revolving Fund Match Program) Series 2007” (the“Bonds”), and the Department borrowed from the proceeds of the Bonds the State matching funds to be deposited into the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (the CWSRF”) created pursuant Subchapter II, Chapter 14, of Title 30 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended (La. R.S. 30:2304, et seq.) (formerly Subchapter II, Chapter 4ofTitle 30, as amended and redesignated by Act No. 296 of 2010) (the CWSRF Act”), in order for the Department to receive its federal capitalization grants pursuant to the Clean Water Act of 1972, as amended by the Water Quality Act of 1987 (the Program”), and pursuant to which the Department has agreed to pay the Authority specified payments; and WHEREAS,prior to the date hereof, the Department has borrowed a total of $60,000,000 from the proceeds of the bonds, as follows:

(i) $4,000,000 on June 5, 2007, (vi) $3,200,000 on July 25, 2012, (ii) $4,500,000 on March 15, 2010, (vii) $3,000,000 on June 13 2013, (iii) $1,500,000 on June 8, 2010, (viii) $2,600,000 on May 1, 2015, (iv) $4,500,000 on May 19, 2011, (ix) $3,100,000 on June 23, 2015, (v) $3,200,000 on February 8, 2012, (x) $3,000,000 on June 20, 2016, and (xi) $27,400,000 on August 10, 2017. leaving no proceeds available from the $60,000,000 previously authorized amount of the Bonds to be drawn by the Department; and WHEREAS,due to the increase in federally funded capitalization grants and EPArules and regulations, theDepartment has requested that the Authority approve the increase in the maximum authorized amount of the Bonds from $60,000,000 to $95,000,000, leaving $35,000,000 remaining authority for draws, and has further requested that the Authority approve an extension of the final maturity date of the Bonds from November 1, 2026 to November 1, 2035; and WHEREAS,Section 4.01 of the Original Indentureallows for the issuance of additional bonds thereunder for the purpose of financing the cost of the Program, and Articles XIII and XIV of the Original Indenture authorize amendments to the Original Indentureand the Original Loan Agreement, respectively,under certain circumstances; and WHEREAS,the Authority desires to assist the Department, the Trustee and the Bondholder in the manner requested; NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the BoardofTrusteesof the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, that: SECTION I. Authorizationand Approval. Pursuant to the Act, theAuthority does hereby authorize and approve the issuance of not exceeding $35,000,000 of additional bonds pursuant to the terms of the Amended Indenture, to be effected in one or moretransactionsby the execution of Supplemental Indenture(s) of Trust, Supplemental Loan Agreement(s) and Supplemental Act(s) of Pledge and Assignment in substantially the forms presented at this meeting. The increase may be implemented in one or moreinstallments provided that the total increase does not exceed an additional $35,000,000 of borrowing authority SECTION 2. AuthorizationofOfficers. The officers of this Board of Trustees areauthorized and empowered to take any and all further action and to sign the necessary Supplemental Loan Agreement(s), Supplemental Indenture(s) of Trust and Supplemental Act(s) of Pledge and Assignment, together with any and all other documents, instruments and writing as may be necessary upon the advice of bond counsel to carry out thepurposes of this resolution, and to file on behalf of the Authority,with anygovernmental boardorentity having jurisdiction of the Project, such application or requests for approval thereof as may be required by law

SECTION 3. Application to State Bond Commission. Application shall be made to the StateBond Commission forapproval of the amendments authorized hereby,and the StateBond Commission is requested to sell the additional amount of the Bonds, on behalf of the Authority to Capital One, N.A. By virtue of the Issuer’sapplication for,acceptance and utilization of the benefits of the Louisiana StateBond Commission’sapproval(s) resolved and set forth herein, it resolves that the 1ssuer understands and agrees that such approval(s) areexpresslyconditioned upon, and it further resolves that it understands, agrees and binds itself, its successors and assigns, to full and continuing compliance with the “State Bond Commission Policy on Approval of Proposed Use of Swaps, or other forms of Derivative ProductsHedges, Etc.”,adopted by the StateBond Commission on July 20, 2006, as to the borrowing(s) and other matter(s) subject to the approval(s), including subsequent application and approval under said Policy of the implementation or use of any swap(s) or other product(s) or enhancement(s) covered thereby

SECTION 4. Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective immediately

MEMBER YEA NAYABSENT ABSTAINING

RonaldH.Bordelon, X Chairman

Dannye W. Malone, X Vice Chairman

Craig A. Cheramie,X Secretary-Treasurer

David W. Groner X

Casey R. Guidry X

Heather C. Songy X

MatthewT.Valliere X

This resolution declared adopted on this 10th day of September,2025.

(Other items of business not pertinent to the foregoing resolution and the documents mentioned herein may be found in the official minutes of the BoardofTrustees of the Authority.)

CERTIFICATE

I, the undersigned, do hereby certify that IamanAssistant Secretary of the BoardofTrustees of the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority (the “Authority”), apublic trust duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the StateofLouisiana, and as such Assistant Secretary I have access to all records of the Authority

Idohereby further certify that at ameeting of the BoardofTrustees of the Authority duly called, held and convened, according to law,on September 10, 2025 aquorum being present and voting thereon, the above and foregoing Resolution was unanimouslyadopted and that said Resolution is afull true and correct copy of the said Resolution as it appears on the records of the Authority; that the same has not been revoked or amended and is nowinfull forceand effect.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF,Ihave hereunto set my hand and attached the seal of the Authority this 10th day of September,2025.

LOUISIANA PUBLIC FACILITIES AUTHORITY

By: Assistant Secretary

[SEAL]

FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL REVENUE NOTE RESOLUTION BY EXECUTIVE ORDER OF THE SECRETARYOFTHE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AL QUALITY

An executive order further amending a “Revenue Note Resolution by Executive Order” dated January 16, 2007, as previously supplemented and amended on May17, 2010, January 18, 2012, June 18, 2013 and April 11, 2017, that collectively provided for theborrowing of moneys through the issuance of one or more of the Department’sNotes pursuant to La. R.S. 30:2301, et seq (formerly La. R.S. 30:2078 et seq.); increasing the maximum authorizedamount of borrowings in connection with such Notes from $60,000,000 to $95,000,000; extending the final maturity date of borrowings in connection with such Notes from November 1, 2026 to November 1, 2035; authorizing the execution of a replacement Note or Notes evidencing such increase; authorizing the execution of financing documentsinconnection with said borrowing, including without limitation, aFifth Supplemental Loan Agreement and aFifth Supplemental Act of Pledge and Assignment;approving and ratifying an application to the State Bond Commission by the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority for approval of the increase in principal amount of the Louisiana Public Facilities AuthorityRevenue Bonds (Clean Water State Revolving Fund MatchProgram) Series 2007, which aresecured by the Notes authorized hereby; and providing forothermatters in connection therewith.

WHEREAS,the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority(the Authority”) is apublic trust and public corporation of the Statecreated and existing pursuant to the provisions of the Louisiana Public Trust Act,Chapter 2-A of Title 9ofthe Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended (the “Act”), and an IndentureofTrust executed on August 21, 1974, and recorded in the Official Records of the Clerk of Court of East Baton Rouge Parish; and WHEREAS,toprovide funds for and to fulfill and achieve its authorized public functions or purposes, the Authority is authorized and empowered by law,including particularly the provisions of the Act,toincur debt and issue bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness; and WHEREAS,the authorized public functions or purposes of the Authority include sanitary and storm sewer and other liquid and solid waste collection,disposal,treatment, and drainage services and facilities; and WHEREAS,the Authority,infurtherance of the purposes for which it was created and pursuant to resolutions duly adopted on February 6, 2007, March9,2010, February 7, 2012, August 6, 2013 and April 11, 2017, has entered into:

(i) aLoan Agreement (the Original Loan Agreement”) dated as of June 1, 2007, as amended and supplemented by: (ii) aFirst Supplemental Loan Agreement dated as of May1,2010, (iii) aSecond Supplemental Loan Agreement dated as of May1,2012, and (iv) aThirdSupplemental Loan Agreement dated as of October 1, 20 13,and (v) aFourthSupplemental Loan Agreement dated as of August 1, 2017; (collectively the Amended Loan Agreement”), by and between the Authority and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (acting in the capacityand as further defined herein, the Department”), and (vi) an IndentureofTrust (the “Original Indenture”) dated as of June 1, 2007, as amended and supplemented by: (vii) aFirst Supplemental IndentureofTrust dated as of May1,2010 (viii) aSecond Supplemental IndentureofTrust dated as of May1 2012, and (ix) aThirdSupplemental IndentureofTrust dated as of October 2, 2013, and (x)a Fourth Supplemental IndentureofTrust dated as of August 1, 2017; (collectively the Amended Indenture”), by and between the Authority and Hancock Whitney Bank, aMississippi state-chartered banking corporation, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as trustee (the Trustee”), pursuant to which the Authority has authorized the issuance of up to $60,000,000 of its bonds heretoforeknown as “Revenue Bonds (Clean Water State Revolving Fund Match Program) Series 2007” (the Bonds”), andDepartment borrowed from the proceeds of the Bonds the State matching funds to be deposited into the Clean Water StateRevolving Fund (the CWSRF”) created pursuant Subchapter II, Chapter 14, of Title 30 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended (La. R.S. 30:2304, et seq.) (formerly Subchapter II, Chapter 4ofTitle 30, as amended and redesignated by Act No.296 of 2010) (the “CWSRF Act”), in order for theDepartment to receive its federal capitalization grantspursuant to the Clean Water Act of 1972, as amended by the Water QualityAct of 1987 (the “Program”), and pursuant to which the Department has agreed to pay the Authority specified payments; and WHEREAS,onJanuary 16, 2007, the Secretaryofthe Department executed a“Revenue Note Resolution by Executive Order” (the Original Order”), authorizing the Department to borrow $10,000,000 through the issuance of one or moreofthe Department’sNotes forthe purpose of providing financial assistance for the improvement of public wastewater systems in the State, as morefully described in the CWSRF Act (the Project”); and WHEREAS,(i) on May17, 2010, the Secretaryofthe Department amended the Original Order by executing a“First Supplemental Revenue Note ResolutionbyExecutive Order” authorizing the Department to borrow an additional $10,000,000

on

on June 13,

25, 2012,

(vii)

on

$1,500,000 on

8,

(viii) $2,600,000 on May 1, 2015, (iv) $4,500,000 on May 19, 2011, (ix) $3,100,000 on June 23, 2015, (v) $3,200,000 on February 8, 2012, (x) $3,000,000 on June 20, 2016, and (xi) $27,400,000 on August 10, 2017. leaving no proceeds available from the $60,000,000 previously authorized amount of the Bonds to be drawnbythe Department; and WHEREAS,due to the increase in federally fundedcapitalization grants andEPA rulesand regulations, the Department hasrequested that the Authority approve the increase in the maximum authorized amount of the Bonds from $60,000,000 to $95,000,000,leaving$35,000,000 remaining authority for draws, andhas furtherrequested thatthe Authority approve an extension of the finalmaturity date of the Bonds from November1,2026 to November1,2035; and WHEREAS,the Authority,the Department andthe Trusteewishto supplement andamend the LoanAgreementinorder to acknowledge changesincertaintermsofthe Note whichresult in an increased principal amount of the Note from $60,000,000 to $95,000,000;and WHEREAS,the Department wishestoreplace the Note with a replacement note or notesinconnection with the increased borrowing from $60,000,000 to $95,000,000; NOW,THEREFORE, I, COURTNEY J. BURDETTE,SECRETARYOF THEDEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA,doherebyorder,direct andresolve that: SECTION I. Further Amendments to Amended Order All references in the AmendedOrder to amaximum amount of $60,000,000of indebtedness, including, without limitation, references in: (i) the preambles, (ii) the definitions of “Bonds” and “Unfunded Commitment Amount” in Section 1, (iii) the references in Section 2and 3, and (iv) in exhibits attached to the OriginalOrder andthe AmendedOrder arehereby amended to referenceamaximum authorized amount of Ninety-Five Million Dollars ($95,000,000). The principal repayment schedule of the AmendedNote shall be extended from November1,2026 to Novemberl,2035, andthe principal of the AmendedNote shall be due andpayableininstallments as follows: Payment Date Principal Amount Multiplied by Payment Date Principal Amount Multiplied

November1,2026 1/10th November1,2031 1/5th November1,2027 1/9th November1,2032 1/4th Novemberl,2028 1/8th November1,2033 1/3rd November1,2029 1/7th November1,2034 1/2 November1,2030 1/6th November1,2035 Balance due &owing The Interest Rate[____%].

SECTION 2. Replacement Note.Areplacementnote,insubstantially the form attached as an exhibit to the Fifth SupplementalLoanAgreement in substantially the form presentedatthis meeting, shall be executed anddeliveredtothe Authority andthe Trusteeinexchange for the AmendedNote,atsuchtime as shall be subsequently determined by the Undersecretary in charge of the Programtobenecessary in orderto stay in compliancewith EPAregulations regarding state match for federal capitalization grants. SECTION 3. Supplemental Documents.The Undersecretary in charge of the Programisdelegated the authority to execute,onbehalfof the Department andthe undersigned Secretary,the Replacement Note, the Fifth SupplementalLoanAgreementand the Fifth SupplementalAct of Pledge andAssignment in substantially the forms presentedatthis meeting, with such changes, additions, anddeletions as shall in the sole judgment of said Undersecretary,upon the advice of counsel,bedetermined to be appropriate underthe circumstances. The Undersecretary in charge of the Programshall furthertake anyand allfurtheraction in connection with the transactions contemplatedhereby, as maybenecessary upon the advice of bond counsel to carry out the purposes of this supplemental order,and said Undersecretary is furtherauthorized anddelegated the authority to execute on behalf of the Department such other documents andcertificates as maybenecessary in connection with the transactions contemplatedhereby, including anyand alldocuments andcertifications required in connection with the issuanceand delivery of anyand allfuture installmentsand series of the Bonds pursuant to the OriginalIndenture, as amended. In this connection, the Department also approvesthe formof Fifth SupplementalIndentureofTrust in substantially the form presented at this meeting.

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This Fifth SupplementalResolution by Executive Ordershall be effective upon execution by the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality of the State of Louisiana IN WITNESS HEREOF,Ihave hereunderset my hand this 17th day of September,2025.

LOUISIANA PUBLIC FACILITIES AUTHORITY By: s/ CourtneyJ.Burdette Secretary

ATTEST: By: s/ Theresa Delafosse Undersecretary